Doncaster RLFC 46 London Skolars 12: Impressive Dons make it four wins from five in League One

Jason Tali scores on his 100th Dons appearance. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX.com

Jason Tali scored on his 100th appearance for the club and there were further tries from the ever-reliable Matty Beharrell (2), Liam Johnson, Danny Bravo, Oliver Greensmith, Sam Smeaton and Ben Johnston.

Skolars were the better team for half an hour – much sharper in possession – and they scored twice to take a surprise 12-0 lead.

But the Dons battled back to level things up by the break and dominated the second period as their extra quality told.

Dons winger Tom Halliday is bundled into touch by Richard Wilkinson of London Skolars. Photo: Rob Terrace

Richard Horne’s side have started their Betfred League One campaign in encouraging fashion, winning four from five, but now face a testing run of five consecutive away games while the Keepmoat pitch is relaid.

The visitors showed plenty of ingenuity early on and Richard Wilkinson finished a slick move to open the scoring before Lameck Juma forced his way over and Neil Thorman added his second conversion.

The closest Dons came was a lightning break from winger Tom Halliday but he was stopped just short of the try line.

The home side finally got on the scoresheet after 30 minutes when some brilliant footwork from Misi Taulapapa created the opening for Tali to score on his landmark appearance.

A few minutes later Johnston broke away to set Beharrell clear under the posts and then kick his second conversion.

Johnson touched down to put the Dons ahead for the first time shortly after the re-start and Beharrell again added the extras.

Bravo marked his first appearance of the season with a try to extend the lead to ten points before Greensmith did excellently to burst clear and give Beharrell an easy conversion from in front of the posts.

It was one-way traffic now and Smeaton ran clear for Dons’ sixth try before Johnstone and Beharrell both went over from close range to add the gloss to a professional performance.

Dons: Taulapapa, Halliday, Smeaton, Tali, Greensmith, Johnston, Beharrell, Mudoti, Boas, Boyle, Johnson, Bravo, Foster. Interchange: Wilkinson, Peltier, Holdstock, Whitmore.

London: Wilkinson, Carter, Pierce-Paul, Vabela, Johnson, Leyland, Bishay, Gale, Thorman, Tyas, M Greenhalgh, Juma, Blakemore. Interchange: Firth, Lloyd-Jones, J Greenhalgh, Mbaraga.