London Skolars recorded their biggest away win with a 16-64 victory at Gateshead Thunder that keeps their hopes of a play-off spot alive.
When the Thunder kick-off went straight into touch, Skolars raced upfield for Joe Price to score after only 70 seconds, adding a second four minutes later. The centre then set up two tries for Smokie Junor. Gateshead rallied briefly with a converted Paul Stamp try, but Skolars continued their dominance when Neil Thorman finished off a James Anthony break to score against his old club. Junor completed his hat-trick before half-time and the next set of six saw Brad Hopkins cut inside to scythe through the defence and put London 6-38 up at half-time.
Price completed his hat-trick soon after the start. Dylan Skee found a gap for Andy McLean to burst through, before Olly O’Mara scored Gateshead’s second try. Matt Thomas’ try pushed the visitors past the half-century and Dave Williams’ ball steal allowed Hopkins to score his second try. A James Anthony break set up Dylan Skee to add a try to his eight conversions for a 20 point haul. The final try by Joe Brown for Thunder was scant consolation against the 12 tries already scored by Skolars.
