GLOUCESTERSHIRE ALL GOLDS 22 – 23 LONDON SKOLARS

A superb game went the way of the London Skolars but the All Golds put up a tremendous fight and had chances to snatch the game at the end.

Skolars’ stand-off Jy-Mel Coleman was the hero as he booted the touchline conversion that levelled the scores and then kicked the winning point with five minutes remaining all despite carrying a bad ankle injury that had him hobbling around in the defensive line.

The All Golds had chances to win the game, building a 10-2 lead midway through the first half and then coming back from 16-10 down at half time to lead 22-16 in an increasingly tense second period.

All Golds started very strongly, dominating the early play but the Skolars slowly inched themselves into the game using their big forwards and crossing for three tries on the All Golds’ left edge.

Lewis Reece scored the first try of the game, diving over from dummy half this after Steve Parry weaved through the middle of the defence and Morgan Evans had gone for the line.

Kieran Hyde converted and added the extras to Parry’s 15try of the season scored in typiacal fashion from right on the goalline.

Mo Agoro then lost the ball in trying to touch down following good work from Josh Allison but then the momentum shifted and the Skolars dominated possession for the next quarter of an hour.

During that time, Dave Williams used his height to reach over and score then Will Lovell levelled the scores following a repeat set of tackles.

When Erjon Dollapi touched down a loose ball the Skolars led 16-10 and were in full control.

The All Golds showed signs of life however, amd Joe McClean had a try chalked off for a forward pass right on the half-time hooter.

Those signs were reinforced as they came out for the second half fired up and pressed for the equaliser.

The Skolars held out for ten minutes before Lamont Bryan crashed over for a try against his former club. Hyde added the extras to level the scores.

The home side continued to press, playing some quality rugby league and took the lead just past the hour mark. Great work from Mick Govin set Reece free and he made no mistake from just inside the Skolars half.

The All Golds looked to extend the lead but Brendon Newton missed a drop goal attempt and the Skolars were level almost immediately as Sam Nash went in at the corner, Coleman limping as he nailed the touchline goal. Coleman then added the crucial one-pointer from the 20-metre line.

There was still time for Hyde to edge a drop goal attempt agonisingly wide and the Skolars were home.

Teams:

ALL GOLDS: Kieran Hyde; Mo Agoro, Josh Allison, Lewis Reece, Phil Cowburn; Brendon Newton, Jack Mitchell; Brad Hill, Steve Parry (Capt.), Morgan Evans; Lamont Bryan, Joe McClean; Emmerson Whittel; INTERCHANGE: Mick Govin, Kadeem Williams, Ollie Purslow, Jose Kenga.

Scorers:

Tries; Lewis Reece (13, 63), Steve Parry (16), Lamont Bryan (52)

Goals; Kieran Hyde 3 from 4

SKOLARS: Alex Walker; Sam Nash, Aaron Small, Lameck Juma, John Paxton; Jy-Mel Coleman, Sam Druce; Dave Williams(Capt.), Billy Driver, Mike Greenhalgh; Mike Worrincy, Will Lovell; Ryan Chester; INTERCHANGE: Ben Pointer, Erjon Dollapi, Toby Everett, Eddie Mbaranga.

Scorers:

Tries; Dave Williams (22), Will Lovell (27), Erjon Dollapi (31), Sam Nash (71)

Goals; Jy-Mel Coleman 3 from 5

Drop Goal; Jy-Mel Coleman (75)

Scoring sequence: 0-2, 6-2, 10-2, 10-6, 10-12, 10-16, (HT), 16-16, 22-16, 22-22, 22-23, (FT)

Referee: Robert Hicks

Touch Judges: M Rossleigh, J Jones

Penalties: 10-12

Story Courtesy: Christopher Wilson, All Golds.