London Skolars 12 Hunslet Hawks 60 (From Haringey Independent)

London Skolars 12 Hunslet Hawks 60

10:15am Tuesday 9th February 2010

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Northern Rail Cup . . .

Skolars fell to a heavy defeat in their first home game of the season at the hands of an experienced Hunslet side.

James Houston’s powerful run set the pattern for the day and, when Wayne McHugh cut inside diagonally, Skolars couldn’t get near him.

The Hawks player-coach Paul March showed his Super League experience, being perfectly placed to follow up on Tommy Haughey’s offload close to the line.

McHugh added the second try before Haughey drew the defence in, releasing a well timed pass for Ron Kelly to score the Hawks' fifth try of the first period.

Skolars rarely got the ball in the first half, but they didn’t help themselves throughout the game, conceding three penalties when they had possession. A Josh Welsh break was stopped close to the line, but quick passing then saw the ball moved to the left for Welsh international Matt Thomas to score out wide.

The second half saw some more attack from Skolars. Hooker Liam Prescott got over the tryline, but couldn’t ground the ball and got dragged over the deadball line by the defence.

His opposite number Richard Chapman was more successful at the other end soon afterwards, burrowing to get the ball down over the line. Two more tries followed in quick succession. David Clayton was the first to get to a Paul March grubber kick to the right corner, then Rob Kelly set up McHugh for his hat-trick.

A brief respite came for Skolars, when Luke May was held up over the line. Paul Thorman’s kick saw Aran Quinn race onto the ball to score under the posts, Thorman adding his second conversion of the day.

However, Hunslet were still looking for points. March’s quick pass put Adam Sullivan through for a try.

Two tackles after the kick-off, they had scored again, McHugh adding his fourth try of the day. He missed that conversion, but finished with a 32-point haul.

There was just time for a quick passing move across the line for Narvin Larvin to round off the scoring.

Skolars next home game could be even tougher as they take on the cup favourites Halifax at New River Stadium this Sunday. Kick-off at New River Stadium is 3pm.

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