Kingstone Press League One: London Skolars 31 Oxford 18

London Skolars remain in contention for a top eight spot in Kingstone Press League One following a 31-18 win at home to Oxford.

Despite enjoying the majority of possession, it wasn’t until the second half before Skolars were able to pull away.

The visitors opened the scoring in the first half when Joshua Atkinson raced down the left wing before cutting inside and passing to Casey Canterbury, who dotted down under the posts.

London levelled the score when Ben Pointer scooted over from dummy half, but the hosts went behind again after an error saw Callum Windley pick up the ball close to the tryline.

Pointer scored his second try with the Oxford defence trying to regroup after it had taken five of them to stop Lamont Bryan’s run.

It was another Skolars’ mistake that saw the Dark Blues score their third try, with the home defence leaving a kick to roll dead, only for Scott Fleming to touch down before it did so.

Skolars then dominated the rest of the half, with Sadiq Adebiyi crashing over the line and Jy-Mel Coleman adding the conversion to level the scores at 18-18 heading into half time.

London took the lead when quick passing to the left saw James Hill draw the defence before popping to Mike Bishay to score in the corner.

A mistake at the kick off saw Skolars have to drop-out under their posts, but Oxford were unable to take advantage.

When London were awarded a penalty within kicking distance they chose to take the two points, extending their lead to seven when Coleman kicked a drop goal.

A short kick off to the wing saw Skolars unable to prevent the ball going into touch, but again Oxford lost possession and another Bryan run saw Dave Williams held-up before Callum Bustin pushed his way over to seal the win.

The win means Skolars, who are currently 10th, are only a point off Workington Town in sixth, with Hunslet in eighth having also played a game more than the Londoners.

Next up for Skolars is a trip to Keighley Cougars on Sunday, with their hosts only just above London in seventh.

So there is every chance that by the end of the weekend, Skolars could find themselves in a position that would see them qualify for the Super Eights later this term.