Doncaster RLFC 12 London Skolars 24: Dons in cup exit

Dons' Mason Tonks celebrates his try against London Skolars with Jason Tali. Picture: Andrew Roe

There was no sign of the frustrating time to come early on as Liam Welham found space and ran under the posts inside 35 seconds, leaving Reece Dean to easily convert for a 6-0 lead for Dons.

However, any notion of Dons having things all their own way were soon dispelled as the visitors came back into the game, and after a spell of their own pressure, Sam Nash touched down when he picked up a loose ball when Mike Bishay’s kick forward had caused problems. Bishay then converted well to level matters.

The momentum shifted again and the home side were back on the front foot.

After Hary Tyson-Wilson knocked on when well-placed, Dons reclaimed the lead with a second try.

Mason Tonks powered inside and found space to crash over the line around the 20 minute mark.

Their lead was short-lived again, as another loose ball after a kick from Bishay, was this time picked up by David Williams who pounced to level the score once more.

Bishay then edged his side ahead for the first time as he converted a penalty to make it 12-14.

Dons will have felt aggrieved to go in at the interval behind, however, they could have no complaints about the second period as they failed to add to their two tries. They weren’t really able to get going in the early stages of the second half and after a cagey opening few minutes, it was Skolars who extended their lead in bizarre fashion.

Jason Tali appeared to be alleviating pressure as he brought the ball away from the Dons’ try line, but Eddie Mbarga was able to strip Tali of possession and stroll over, and Skolars edged 20-12 ahead.

The home side began to push forward in search of a route back into the game, however, the Skolars defence was standing firm. And Skolars made certain as they broke away and forced a try over in the right hand corner, a second of the game for Mbarga, a minute from time.

DONS: Dean, Sheriff, Welham, Tali, Lancaster, Tyson-Wilson, Hedges, Aizue, Frankland, Fash, Tonks, Kelly, Picketts-O’Donnell. SUBS: Cross, Walton, Castle, Vincent.

SKOLARS: Anthony, Nash, Small, Price, Paxton, Coleman, Bishay, Sykes, Druce, Everett, Williams, Lovell, Chester. SUBS: Pointer, Dollapi, Mbarga, Grey.