Blackpool Panthers 32 London Skolars 24

Following a well earned victory over a very physical London Skolars, Coach, Martin Crompton was not entirely satisfied, despite seeing their first win in seven.

Panthers led 18-8 at half time and 30-8 after 51 minutes, but were left hanging on for their fourth victory of the season as the size of the visitors forwards made their power tell.

The victory opened up a five point gap over National League Two’s bottom club as Blackpool aim to avoid a third straight wooden spoon, although Crompton has demanded more over the season run-in. Martin added, when I took over the job it was all about changing the image of the club and making Blackpool a competitive team, and I think we’ve achieved that already, I’d still like a couple more victories before the season’s finished.

The visitors made a promising start with Corry Simms forcing a goal line drop out before Jamie Nowland crossed under the posts in the fourth minute. But the Skolars, who enjoyed a rare win last week against York, failed to sustain that form and Blackpool ran in three tries in nine minutes to take control.

First Chris Forster touched down in the eighth minute after making an interception on the half way, before Sean weed followed up Casey Mayberry’s break to score, and Johnny Leather sent Damian Munroe over. The Skolars had chances to reduce the arrears, most notably when Blackpool conceded three successive penalties just before the half hour mark, but London failed to capitalise. Wayne Kerr was stopped short on the last tackle so all they had to show for their procession was a Paul Thorman penalty.

Tony Benson’s strugglers forced another repeat set shortly after the interval, only to concede successive penalties and give Blackpool the position for Dave Llewellyn to score after collecting Forster’s chip kick in the 47th minute. The hosts looked home and dry when Forster raced clear to score an 80-meter try after intercepting a wayward Alan Barker pass, although Simms gave the Skolars hope after being sent over by Michael Chan in the 55th minute.

Thorman then kicked a 40-20 and Chris Shears was held up before being penalised for a high tackle, allowing Forster to edge Blackpool further ahead. With powere up front the Skolars lauched a late rally, with Puma Rasaubale barging over from Nowland’s pass, while Shears’ break released Kerr to put them within eight with four minutes to go. But Kerr summed up London’s performance by knocking on the restart. I am bitterly disappointed, said Benson, I think we got excited by the big, wide field and got lost rather than do what we were supposed to do.

Man of the Match:- Chris Forster

Attendance:- 276