Rugby League Challenge semi-final
Wests Warriors 38-14 London Skolars A
Wests Warriors stormed to a first major final in their debut season by scorching the earth under a side three divisions above them.
The Acton-based club with players from all over west London formed towards the end of last year, and were always in control.
They more than matched their opponents up front in a very physical contest and were more creative with ball in hand.
Wing Brad Aird got the Warriors off to a flying start when he threaded his way through after just two minutes with Matt Ashe adding the extras. Skolars worked hard to get into the game earning repeat sets of tackles but the home defence held firm.
Wests went further ahead when Asher Fernie-Harper crossed following good work from Aird and Matt Ashe again converted. The following 20 minutes developed into a scrappy affair with neither side able to complete their sets.
But it was the Warriors who finally managed to put a move together, a long, flat pass from Matt Ashe putting wing Aaron Brown over in the corner. Just before half-time they increased their lead with a somewhat fortunate score.
On the sixth tackle the ball was hoisted high and wide to the right posing no particular threat but the Warriors managed to keep the ball alive.
The move seemed to have broken down when Blake Parker grubber kicked to the posts. The ball confused defenders as it hit post padding, and Shannon Bennett nipped in to score. Matt Ashe made it 22-0 at the break with the conversion.
Skolars prop Cameron Furlong gave his side some hope when he forced his way over for a try early in the second half with Ashley Dickinson adding the extras. However, Aird added a second for the home side and then Byron McMahon touched down, Matt Ashe adding a conversion to put them 32-6 ahead with 10 minutes remaining.
Skolars added tries from Ade Aderiye and Furlong in between one from Jared Riki for the home side, which Matt Ashe converted but it proved too little too late.
Warriors have set up a derby day when they meet South West Chargers from Chiswick in the final. The current holders of the Gordon Anderton Trophy won 58-0 at St Albans Centurions.
