Kingstone Press League One: London Skolars 32 South Wales Ironmen 4

London Skolars secured a new club record sixth win on the spin when going top of the League One Shield table after a hard-fought 32-4 home victory over South Wales Ironmen on Friday at the New River Stadium.

It is their best run of wins since the club turned professional in 2003 and Skolars on the front foot from the off when they were able to swing the ball left for Jacob Ogden to score in the corner.

The visitors’ best chance in the first half came when a Skolars’ pass out right drifted forward and was intercepted by Sam Hodge on his own 10 metre line.

With ten metres to go at the other end he looked to be heading for a try, but a final spurt by Mike Bishay caught him on the line and dragged him into touch in goal.

Skolars extended their lead when Louis Robinson barged his way through a gap and as the half drew to a close, they made the most of the set of six and an inside pass to Ryan Chester saw the loose forward cut through the middle of the defence.

Soon after the restart, Ogden scored his second try when he made a diagonal run from his wing, but the usually reliable Jy-Mel Coleman missed an easy conversion.

The Ironmen were finally rewarded for their hard work when pressure of numbers on the right saw Cade Breen breach the defence, but it wasn’t long before Skolars extended their lead with Michael Sykes forcing his way over.

The kicking duties were passed to teenage debutant Alfie Lawrence, getting his opportunity to play because his elder brother Charlie was ruled out because of a head injury the previous week and the teenage debutant slotted over both his attempts, the second coming after Josh Allison brushed off a tiring defence for his twelfth try of the season.

Skolars will be hoping to continue the good run of form and remain on top spot when they take on local rivals Hemel Stags in another home game at New River on Sunday.

The match with the Stags will kick off at 3pm this weekend as Skolars look to take their winning run into seventh heaven, which would see them retain top spot in the table with only a few weeks remaining.