Missed chances prove costly for Skolars in defeat at Hunslet
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Betfred League One: Hunslet 48 London Skolars 12
London Skolars were left ruing a series of missed chances in the first half as they fell to 48-12 defeat at Hunslet in Betfred League One.
Player-coach Jermaine Coleman chose to kick a restart from the 20-metre line and earned his side a scrum 10 metres from the Hunslet tryline, but Vinny Finigan was dragged into touch on the first tackle.
Daymeric Pelo made a burst through the defence, but after forcing a goal-line drop-out, Skolars spilled possession.
It was midway through the first half when Hunslet broke the deadlock with Joe Sanderson making a break and dummying, before offloading to Jimmy Watson who touched down.
The Parksiders knocked-on from the kick-off, but the resulting London attack saw Neil Thorman lose the ball over the tryline.
Cain Southernwood then went in on the left for the home side’s second try.
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A deep kick by Coleman saw a good chase, but Skolars failed to stop Watson as he took the ball from his own in-goal area and raced 60 metres through the on-coming defence to where the ball had been kicked from, before releasing Tom Ashton to score.
There was some hope for Skolars when Lamont Bryan sidestepped his way over the tryline just before half-time, but Hunslet started the second period strongly.
Mufaro Mvududu broke past his former side for Southernwood’s second try, before Josh Tonks split the defence on halfway, then threw a dummy to score.
Billy Driver finished off a Lameck Juma break for Skolars’ second try, with Phil Lyon converting.
Three tries in the last ten minutes, though, saw Hunslet take control as Sanderson finished the afternoon having kicked all eight of his team’s conversion attempts.
London return home to the New River Stadium on Saturday when they welcome Hemel Stags for their next league encounter.
When the sides met in March, Skolars were able to record an 18-12 victory in Hertfordshire.
And on their home ground this weekend, London will look to complete the double over Stags.
