London Skolars A (12)22 South London Storm (24) 54

South London Storm got their 2009 Rugby League Conference Premier South season off to an encouraging start with a 54-22 win at London Skolars A on Easter Monday.

Prop Donny Varcoe stole the show with a stunning hat-trick on his return after a couple of seasons out. His first try game three minutes into the game when he chased through a deft kick from Micky Walker to the ground the ball under the posts. Kurt Pitman added the first of 9 successful goals.

Before ten minutes were up Storm doubled their lead when hooker Andy Gilvary burrowed over from dummy half. The visitors looked to be in complete control but on eighteen minutes quick movement down the left caught Storm out and Skolars were able to grab a try back. Hann's conversion left the score at 12-6.

Within three minutes the lead was back to two converted tries as Aran Quinn pounced on a grubber from Pitman that rebounded off the posts.

The next 15 minutes was a bit of a battle of attrition as both sides struggled to get on top, then with five minutes left on the clock Storm winger Chris Beaven scored the try of the game with a stunning break from within his own half that saw him best his man on the outside before cutting in and outpacing the defence to score under the posts.

With half time approaching Skolars were back on the score board following a dart from dummy half by Hann. That left the score after forty minutes London Skolars 12 South London Storm 24.

Storm started the second half as they had turn the first, with Varcoe going over from short range following concerted pressure on the Skolars line. Again though the home team bounced straight back as a couple of missed tackles allowed the left winger in for a score that was again converted by Hann.

At 30-18 the game wasn't yet safe but the last twenty minutes saw Storm pull away as the benefits of a tough pre season kicked in. Firstly Luke Higgins finished off a sharp passing move to cross for a debut try then soon after Micky Walker added his customary 4 pointer.

Storm added further tries from Aron Brown, again on debut, and Varcoe who completed his hat-trick with a powerful break from half way, before Paul Hyder grabbed a last minute consolation for the home team.

Storm fielded 6 junior graduates today including 16 year old Alex Ingarfield who last season was playing for Croydon Hurricanes. They next face Elmbridge away on April 25th.

Storm. 1. Richard Spence 2. Jonathan Warner 3. Luke Higgins (1t) 4. Tom Pryor 5.Chris Beaven (1t) 6.Kurt Pitman (9g) 7. Micky Walker 8. Matt Burke 9. Andy Gilvary (1t) 10 Donny Varcoe (3t) 11. Adam Tran 12. Matt Smith 13. Aran Quin. Subs Adam Hill, Rasheed Alawiye, Owain Rhodda, Neil Templeman, Dave Walters, Aron Brown (1t), Alex Ingarfield