Defensive errors prove costly as London win in South Wales
By Chris,
June 25 2012
South Wales Scorpions have suffered the disappointment of being on the wrong end of London Skolars' first away win of the season following Sunday's 36-32 loss at the Gnoll. Poor defending from the Neath outfit proved costly as the Londoners edged an entertaining encounter in front of 307 supporters.
Poor Scorpions defending was to blame as London Skolars claimed their first away win of the season to heap misery on Dave Clark's South Wales side.
Both sides attacked well - but crucially London found some defensive steel in the closing moments to deny the Scorpions a dramatic late score which would have stopped the away team claiming maximum points.
Despite the result, the 307 fans in attendance were well entertained as the two teams shared twelve tries and produced a series of impressive attacking moves. The Skolars' superior goal-kicking ultimately proved the difference.
Kevin James, Tom Morgan, Joe Burke, Nathan Mossop and a brace from Steve Parry helped the Scorpions to their second highest points tally of the season - but it was only enough for a bonus point.
Skolars take six converted tries back to the English capital, and the poor defending of their hosts was summed up by the opening try as Andy McClean found it all too easy to breakthrough. Both he and Dylan Skee played a pivotal role in London's rare victory.
The result leaves means Skolars leap-frog the Scorpions in the league table. Clark's men slip to eighth in the table and any slim hopes of a promotion push lay in tatters. Our defending must improve dramatically as Doncaster, the division's top scorers, travel to Gnoll Park Road next weekend.
Full Time - South Wales Scorpions 32-36 London Skolars
Attendance - 307
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What happens to the league next season?
"The RFL plan to expand the game outside the heartlands from 2013 onwards. Sixteen clubs have expressed interest in joining the professional ranks, out of those the RFL have picked seven as potential inclusions; Medway Dragons, Hemel Stags, Bristol/Gloucester, Coventry Bears, Chester, Northampton and Oxford. Four clubs will be selected and announced one at a time over late 2011 - early 2012, each being given support from the RFL.
There will be no relegation from the Championship in 2011-12; instead four clubs will be promoted from Championship 1 to make way for the new clubs, promotion and relegation between the two competitions will start from 2013. Minimum standards, such as a 3,000 stadium capacity, will apply in the 14-club Championship. The RFL have also announced Premier Sports have agreed to broadcast the Championships, taking over from Sky Sports."