London Skolars close gap on play-off spots (From Haringey Independent)

London Skolars close gap on play-off spots

1:30pm Friday 29th June 2012 in Local Sport

London Skolars closed the gap on the play-off spots to three points with a game in hand after a narrow 36-32 victory over South Wales Scorpions.

Both sides scored six tries, but it was the accuracy of Dylan Skee’s kicking which proved decisive with six conversions from as many attempts.

Joe Mbu's side opened the scoring after just two minutes through Andy McLean after forcing an error from the home side, but a Skolars error led to Kevin James’ try for the Welsh. Skolars then put on some sustained pressure and Will Colleran found a gap in the defence to score in his first game for two months.

But three tries in ten minutes saw South Wales take a ten point lead. Tom Morgan broke through in the centre to score before Steve Parry followed up his chip kick to touchdown.

Skolars had a good chance at the other end when Skee was in support to a Neil Thorman break, but the final pass was intercepted by the Welsh and Parry added his second try a minute later.

Skee made amends just before half-time when he touched down under the posts after a James Anthony break.

That kept Skolars in contention and they took the lead two minutes into the second half when Joe Price capitalised on an error from a Skee bomb.

After tries for Joe Burke and Nathan Mossop, Scorpions might have been hopeful of revenge from the eight-point defeat earlier in the season at The Gnoll.

However, Skolars gained a scrum straight from the kick-off and Skee dived for the line, sliding over in the damp conditions. His conversion narrowed the gap to two points.

Skolars had a couple of chances to level the score through penalties, but elected to tap and aim for a try. That decision paid off when Andy McLean found a gap on the left. They then had to defend for a large part of the last 15 minutes of the game, but held out for a win which puts them three points away from the play-off spots with a game in hand.

They face league leaders Barrow Raiders at New River at 2pm on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the reserves kept top spot in the Southern Premier with a 40-10 win at West London Sharks.

They entertain Greenwich Admirals this weekend in the London & South Challenge trophy semi-final.