Kingstone Press League One: Workington Town 46 London Skolars 16

London Skolars’ hopes of making the top eight in Kingstone Press League One when the division splits look all but over after a 46-16 defeat at Workington Town.

The home side went ahead after four minutes with Theerapol Ritson taking advantage of a couple of errors.

Skolars went close to scoring themselves when Michael Greenhalgh touched down, but the try was ruled out to due to crossing behind in the move.

Town moved upfield after a couple of penalties and Gabriel Fell went over to score.

Louis Robinson made an immediate impact off the bench, first making a strong run, then forcing his way over the tryline.

However, three tries in seven minutes meant that Workington would go in at half-time with a comfortable lead.

After Ritson had scored again, Skolars conceded two more penalties in quick succession, and Brett Phillips went over on the right, despite protests of a forward pass.

Town’s next attack saw Jermaine Coleman take a high ball near his own line, but again London had transgressed, as Michael Brown had obstructed one of the chasers.

With a penalty from ten metres out, Ritson came into the attacking line to complete a first half hat-trick.

The Cumbrians extended their lead after half-time when Jamie Doran picked up a loose ball on his own 30-metre line and ran down the wing, just managing to evade the chasing defence.

Skolars scored their second try when Jy-Mel Coleman caught the defence napping after a penalty, but Town went further ahead when Macauley Davies ghosted through the defensive line.

London forced a drop-out, but, on a blustery day, they couldn’t prevent the kick catching the wind and then bouncing out of play at the other end of the field, meaning Skolars had to drop-out themselves.

The visitors defended that set, but couldn’t prevent Ritson from running 80 metres down the right for his fourth try of the afternoon, before Andy Winfield scored a consolation try for Skolars.