London Skolars 22 Doncaster 42: Impressive record continues as Doncaster see off Skolars

As spring sunshine brightened up north London, Skolars raced into a 10-point lead with tries from Luke May, ex-Doncaster player Jason Hart and Gareth Honor in the first 15 mintues.

Hooker Jack Ely darted over from dummy half for the Dons for the game’s second try.

And by half-time, Tony Miller’s men were ahead.

First Mick Butterfield scored after patient probing by Hull FC loanee Nev Morrison, then Ryan Steen did superbly to take Craig Fawcett’s clever short pass under the crossbar, and before the break Scott Spaven drove over.

Both sides had made easy yards in the first half but while Skolars had equal possession of the ball, it was Doncaster who broke the line time and time again and looked so dangerous in the second period.

Chris Green made an evasive try-scoring burst down the left wing soon after half-time to put the visitors in control and it was not until the 56th minute that Carl Hughes’s 50-metre break provided the field position for Green, on loan from Hull FC, to score from close range.

By that time, Kyle Kesik had been carried off after a collision with Jason Cook, who also left the field.

Winger Stewart Sanderson showed tremendous pace to follow up Mick Butterfield’s fine break to score Doncaster’s final try on 63 minutes.

Half-back Spaven was in fine form with the boot, kicking all seven of his conversion attempts to make it 42-16.

But the action was far from over. When opposite wingers Dean Colton and the home side’s former Doncaster favourite Ade Adebisi had a set-to on the touchline in front of the dug-outs, both benches emptied as players, substitutes and coaching staff became involved in an unsightly brawl.

Referee Peter Brooke allowed Colton and Adebisi to remain on the pitch but sent off Skolars coach Joe Mbu – another one-time Doncaster player - and Doncaster’s non-playing Ashley Williams.

Both face lengthy bans from the RFL for what was an appalling incident.

It was not the only issue for RFL match commissioner and former international referee John Connelly to deal with, however.

The visitors were supposed to be wearing blue and yellow, but turned out in black and red, making them almost indistinguishable at times from the home team.

Skolars’ late try through Austen Aggrey was a mere consolation. It is 11 wins from 11 against the Londoners for the men from the Keepmoat, and two out of two in Championship One.

London Skolars: Thorman, Iwenofu, Arnot, May, Adebisi, J. Coleman, Skee, Aggrey, Honor, Hart, Cook, Purslow, Ball. Substitutes: Prescott, T. Williams, Simon, Clement-Pascalle.

Doncaster: Butterfield, Colton, Leaf, Morrison, Sanderson, Fawcett, Spaven, Bovill, Ely, Scott, Green, Steen, Emmett. Substitutes: Keswik, Robinson, C. Hughes, Carbutt.

Referee: P Brooke (RFL).