London Skolars 18 Doncaster 42: Brave Skolars beaten by promotion-chasing Dons in Betfred League One
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Betfred League One: London Skolars 18 Doncaster 42
London Skolars slipped to a 42-18 defeat at home to Doncaster in Betfred League One, despite a spirited display at the New River Stadium.
Two tries in the last three minutes gave a one-sided scoreline to a game where Skolars pushed the promotion candidates hard for most of the game.
The Dons went ahead early when Brandan Wilkinson strode past the defence, before Hakim Milouidi side-stepped two defenders to score.
London had to withstand several more attacks, but they narrowed the gap with a move that started when Jy-Mel Coleman made a break down the right.
The following play-the-ball then saw Lamont Bryan ease past a split defensive line.
After a long pass from Neil Thorman found Elliot Hall, who raced over the line, Thorman’s conversion gave the home side the lead.
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Skolars’ got a hand on a Doncaster, but this gave the Dons another set in possession in the last couple of minutes of the first half.
Kieran Cross raced through the gap for his side to regain the lead.
That lead was reversed straight after the break, with Doncaster’s defence working hard to hold Eddie Mbaraga up over the tryline.
A break from 40 metres out saw Cross added a second try.
A good kick and chase then forced an error at the end of the next set and the resulting attack saw Zach Braham twist in the tackle to ground the ball over the line.
London had lost Coleman to a knee injury, but they continued to challenge.
Billy Driver was stopped a foot from the line, but his quick pass out to Hall a few minutes gave the full-back his second try.
The Dons put paid to any chances of a Skolars’ comeback when quick passing to the left wing put Aaron Jones-Bishop over.
A loose pass from Quinn Ngawati was picked up by Miloudi, who raced 70 metres to score, before Welham rounded off the scoring for the visitors..
“We missed a real opportunity today” said a rueful Jermaine Coleman “We got into a good position, but silly penalties and errors allowed them to regain momentum”.on
