Rugby league fans are looking forward to a feast of rugby league at The Stoop this afternoon, as St Albans Centurions on South London Storm in the Final of the Rugby League Conference South at 12:40 pm, followed by the Super League game between Harlequins RL and Wigan Warriors at 3:00 pm.
St Albans who finished divisional minor premiers in the RLC Premier South will be slight favourites to overturn reigning champions South London, but a tight game is likely. The Centurions have had several weeks rest since booking their place in the final so should be injury free, if not a little ring rusty. In contrast the Storm only booked their place in the final last week with a victory over third placed London Skolars II on a baking hot afternoon at Storm Park.
In the Super League game both Quins and the Warriors will be desperate to boost their chances of a playoff place with a victory, although both sides are mathematically safe from the drop following Salford’s loss last night, both know that dropped points will be a serious blow to making the top six.
Quins continued their re-signing spree this week, with hooker Chad Randall and loose forward Henry Paul both extending their stay in the capital. On a less positive note it appears that stalwart centre Paul Sykes, the longest serving player at the club, is returning to former club Bradford at the end of the season due to family commitments.
The Quins injury problems show no sign of improving with prop Karl Temata ruled out, whilst Sykes also misses out on compassionate grounds. Youngsters Tony Clubb and Stephen Bannister come back into a side that has lost its last four league games. Wigan in contrast appears to have a virtually full strength squad.
Saturday, 18 August 2007
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
London ARL Finals: week 2 wrap-up
Hainault Bulldogs will be at home to Eastern Raiders the final of the London ARL competition this weekend.
The Bulldogs beat St Albans Centurions II at home on Saturday 50 –20 to book their place in the final, whilst Eastern Raiders overcame Southgate Skolars 24 – 10 at New River.
Kick-off is at 3 p.m. at The Kenel, Ilford Raiders RFC. See here for details.
Sunday, 12 August 2007
Wildcats ease past Quins into top six
Harlequins RL suffered a 28 – 14 reversal away at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats this evening and can rue their luck as a string of dubious decisions swung the result in favour of the home side. The consistency with which controversial decisions went in favour of a solid Wildcats side arguably gave them the momentum with which to build their score, although the Quins only have themselves to blame for the poor handling and decision-making that saw too much possession squandered.
The first dubious decision came courtesy of video referee Ben Thaler after seven minutes when Wakefield standoff Jamie Rooney appeared to push the ball forward over the Quins try line but was given the benefit of the doubt. Mark McLinden subsequently had Quins reply chalked out by Thaler for a very dubious obstruction call.
There were no doubts about Wakefield’s second try from Ryan Atkins on twenty-two minutes, but Paul White’s try ten minutes later was given despite the final ball coming from a telegraphed forward pass ignored by the officials. It was the stroke of half-time before Scott Hill finally got the Quins on the scoreboard with a try in the corner to send the sides in at 14 – 4.
When Quins had a second try chalked out by Thaler after the break for an even more dubious obstruction decision it was clear that this was not to be their night. Fifty-two minutes in Wakefield forward Ned Catic took advantage of some poor play from Quins to pile on the pressure and the visitors looked to be out for the count. However ten minutes later Jon Wells finally found his way over the line, minutes after having a try chalked off in one of the video referee’s few sensible calls of the evening.
Arguably the most controversial moment of the game came after sixty-five minutes when Wakefield prop Ricky Bibey’s forearm smash on standoff Hill left the Quins man dazed with a gashed head that required off field treatment. The incident went unmissed by all the officials, leading to a moment of black humour a couple of minutes later when Julien Rindaldi conceded a penalty for a sloppy high tackle that rode up off the shoulder. It will be interesting to see whether the RFL take a hard line on Bibey given the governing body’s historic inconsistent approach to such offences.
Needing to score points quickly Quins decided to throw the ball around in the final quarter with largely unsuccessful results. Impressive Wakefield centre Atkins added a second try with five minutes to go putting the result beyond any doubt, before Tyrone Smith finally worked his way over for a Quins consolation try in the last minute.
Despite the poor officiating Wakefield proved good value for the win, completing a solid, well drilled performance that capitalised on Quins mistakes. Coach Brian McDermott will be concerned about the amount of possession his side turned over, as well as the injury toll to his already paper thin side which saw skipper Rob Purdham and fellow second-rowers Henry Paul and Lee Hopkins fail to complete the game.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: (14) 28
Tries: Rooney, Atkins 2, White, Catic
Goals: Rooney 4
Harlequins RL: (4) 14
Tries: Hill, Wells, Smith
Goals: Orr
The first dubious decision came courtesy of video referee Ben Thaler after seven minutes when Wakefield standoff Jamie Rooney appeared to push the ball forward over the Quins try line but was given the benefit of the doubt. Mark McLinden subsequently had Quins reply chalked out by Thaler for a very dubious obstruction call.
There were no doubts about Wakefield’s second try from Ryan Atkins on twenty-two minutes, but Paul White’s try ten minutes later was given despite the final ball coming from a telegraphed forward pass ignored by the officials. It was the stroke of half-time before Scott Hill finally got the Quins on the scoreboard with a try in the corner to send the sides in at 14 – 4.
When Quins had a second try chalked out by Thaler after the break for an even more dubious obstruction decision it was clear that this was not to be their night. Fifty-two minutes in Wakefield forward Ned Catic took advantage of some poor play from Quins to pile on the pressure and the visitors looked to be out for the count. However ten minutes later Jon Wells finally found his way over the line, minutes after having a try chalked off in one of the video referee’s few sensible calls of the evening.
Arguably the most controversial moment of the game came after sixty-five minutes when Wakefield prop Ricky Bibey’s forearm smash on standoff Hill left the Quins man dazed with a gashed head that required off field treatment. The incident went unmissed by all the officials, leading to a moment of black humour a couple of minutes later when Julien Rindaldi conceded a penalty for a sloppy high tackle that rode up off the shoulder. It will be interesting to see whether the RFL take a hard line on Bibey given the governing body’s historic inconsistent approach to such offences.
Needing to score points quickly Quins decided to throw the ball around in the final quarter with largely unsuccessful results. Impressive Wakefield centre Atkins added a second try with five minutes to go putting the result beyond any doubt, before Tyrone Smith finally worked his way over for a Quins consolation try in the last minute.
Despite the poor officiating Wakefield proved good value for the win, completing a solid, well drilled performance that capitalised on Quins mistakes. Coach Brian McDermott will be concerned about the amount of possession his side turned over, as well as the injury toll to his already paper thin side which saw skipper Rob Purdham and fellow second-rowers Henry Paul and Lee Hopkins fail to complete the game.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: (14) 28
Tries: Rooney, Atkins 2, White, Catic
Goals: Rooney 4
Harlequins RL: (4) 14
Tries: Hill, Wells, Smith
Goals: Orr
Storm blow away Skolars in semi-final
A game of two very different halves saw South London Storm blow away London Skolars II yesterday at Storm Park to book a place in the RLC Premier South final next weekend against St Albans Centurions. A brutal and at times bad tempered game saw the Skolars lack of discipline ultimately cost them the game.
Skolars took an early lead after five minutes when the left wing found himself in space following a poor clearing kick from the Storm. The Storm fullback did well to slowdown the break but was unable to complete the tackle allowing the winger to get up and complete his run into the corner.
It took just three minutes for the Storm to level the scores with Ollie Bloom powering his way over in the opposite corner following a well worked move that saw the ball moved quickly through a series of hands open up a hole in the Skolars defence. Five minutes later Skolars almost regained the lead when a touchdown under the Storm posts from the loose forward was ruled out for a double movement.
It was at this stage of the game that the Skolars discipline started to put them under pressure with a succession of penalties for high shots, flops and niggling play. A quick tap penalty from Storm skipper Al Emerson on eighteen minutes put them back in front, the conversion from Darren Bartley making the score 10 – 4. Minutes later the referees patience with the Skolars underhand tactics finally broke with Todd Egan binned for deliberately interfering at the play the ball. Bartley took almost immediate advantage of the man short in defence to make it 14 – 4.
In the closing ten minutes of the half it looked like the Skolars were finally starting to get their act together, forcing several repeat sets of possession from which they clawed their way back into the game, with two tries and a conversion levelling the scores at 14 a piece. An injury to a Storm player saw the game stopped for several minutes, and when play resumed it was the Skolars who again applied the pressure forcing a knock on just five metres out from the Storm line which gave them the platform to seize a 14 - 18 lead.
The defining moment of the game came as the first half entered a period of injury time; an instinctive trip from Skolars player David Afreh after he was stepped by a Storm player resulted in an instant dismissal. Storm loose forward Mickey Walker crashed over from the penalty and Bartley’s conversion saw the home side head into the break with a 20 – 14 advantage.
The result of Afreh’s dismissal became obvious in the second half as the twelve men of Skolars ran out of steam in the baking afternoon heat. Walker’s forty-fifth minute try effectively sealed the game, as the Skolars lost their composure and stepped up their roughhouse tactics, which only put them under further pressure from the resulting penalties. Four further tries from the Storm followed as the Skolars defence increasingly struggled to fill the holes and the home side exploited the extra space with testing kicks. The Skolars did manage a late consolation try on the stroke of fulltime to leave the final scores at 48 – 24, but it did little to offset the comprehensiveness off the defeat.
Storm are likely to face a much tougher test against minor premiers St Albans when they meet at The Stoop in the curtain raiser to Harlequins RL game against Wigan Warriors. South London fans can take advantage of a special discount offer to see both games by calling Laura Harrison at Quins RL on 020 8410 6098 and quoting "Storm".
South London Storm: (20) 48
London Skolars II: (18) 24
Skolars took an early lead after five minutes when the left wing found himself in space following a poor clearing kick from the Storm. The Storm fullback did well to slowdown the break but was unable to complete the tackle allowing the winger to get up and complete his run into the corner.
It took just three minutes for the Storm to level the scores with Ollie Bloom powering his way over in the opposite corner following a well worked move that saw the ball moved quickly through a series of hands open up a hole in the Skolars defence. Five minutes later Skolars almost regained the lead when a touchdown under the Storm posts from the loose forward was ruled out for a double movement.
It was at this stage of the game that the Skolars discipline started to put them under pressure with a succession of penalties for high shots, flops and niggling play. A quick tap penalty from Storm skipper Al Emerson on eighteen minutes put them back in front, the conversion from Darren Bartley making the score 10 – 4. Minutes later the referees patience with the Skolars underhand tactics finally broke with Todd Egan binned for deliberately interfering at the play the ball. Bartley took almost immediate advantage of the man short in defence to make it 14 – 4.
In the closing ten minutes of the half it looked like the Skolars were finally starting to get their act together, forcing several repeat sets of possession from which they clawed their way back into the game, with two tries and a conversion levelling the scores at 14 a piece. An injury to a Storm player saw the game stopped for several minutes, and when play resumed it was the Skolars who again applied the pressure forcing a knock on just five metres out from the Storm line which gave them the platform to seize a 14 - 18 lead.
The defining moment of the game came as the first half entered a period of injury time; an instinctive trip from Skolars player David Afreh after he was stepped by a Storm player resulted in an instant dismissal. Storm loose forward Mickey Walker crashed over from the penalty and Bartley’s conversion saw the home side head into the break with a 20 – 14 advantage.
The result of Afreh’s dismissal became obvious in the second half as the twelve men of Skolars ran out of steam in the baking afternoon heat. Walker’s forty-fifth minute try effectively sealed the game, as the Skolars lost their composure and stepped up their roughhouse tactics, which only put them under further pressure from the resulting penalties. Four further tries from the Storm followed as the Skolars defence increasingly struggled to fill the holes and the home side exploited the extra space with testing kicks. The Skolars did manage a late consolation try on the stroke of fulltime to leave the final scores at 48 – 24, but it did little to offset the comprehensiveness off the defeat.
Storm are likely to face a much tougher test against minor premiers St Albans when they meet at The Stoop in the curtain raiser to Harlequins RL game against Wigan Warriors. South London fans can take advantage of a special discount offer to see both games by calling Laura Harrison at Quins RL on 020 8410 6098 and quoting "Storm".
South London Storm: (20) 48
London Skolars II: (18) 24
Skolars outclass Thunder at Finchley
London Skolars completed a league double over Gateshead Thunder yesterday, with a 32 – 12 win at Finchley Rugby Club to keep alive their National League Two playoff hopes. The north London based club were forced to play the game away form their usual home at New River Stadium due to an athletics meet but put the hindrance behind them to get the result that leaves them just outside the top six.
A full match report will appear here.
London Skolars: (6) 32
Tries: Aggrey, Shears, Tozer, Lynton, Simms
Goals: Thorman 6
Gateshead Thunder: (8) 12
Tries: Stephenson 2, Peers
A full match report will appear here.
London Skolars: (6) 32
Tries: Aggrey, Shears, Tozer, Lynton, Simms
Goals: Thorman 6
Gateshead Thunder: (8) 12
Tries: Stephenson 2, Peers
Wakefield Vs Harlequins Preview
Harlequins RL go into tonight’s clash with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats knowing that winner will see themselves pushed back into the top six and closer to a coveted playoff spot.
In recent weeks the Quins bandwagon appears to have lost its way, suffering comprehensive defeats against Huddersfield and Leeds as a horrendous run of injuries has taken its toll on Brian McDermott’s already limited squad. The return of influential captain Rob Purdham last week wasn’t enough to halt a rampant Rhinos side, but fans will be hoping he can spark some inspiration against the Wildcats.
The news that wingers Rikki Sheriffe and Matt Gafa and forwards Karl Temata and Jon Grayshon have re-signed for next season has been welcomed by fans, but is tempered by the decision of warhorse second-row Lee Hopkins to retire at the end of the season. All five players have been important in shouldering the burden of the injury crisis.
Wakefield go into the game on the back of a defeat against Bradford, an early season run of form eventually turned patchy and when the two sides met at The Stoop back in April the result was a draw. Coach John Kear has rebuilt much of his side this season, converting the Wildcats from a side heavily reliant of imports to one that has made greater use of home grown players and has consequently seen them lift from a side that only beat the drop on the final game of last season to one challenging for the playoffs.
The game will be a big challenge for the Quins, but if they are to be serious challengers for the playoffs, and to prove to Chairman Ian Lenagan who has been linked to a bid for the Wigan Warriors that the club is moving forward, it’s one they need to win.
In recent weeks the Quins bandwagon appears to have lost its way, suffering comprehensive defeats against Huddersfield and Leeds as a horrendous run of injuries has taken its toll on Brian McDermott’s already limited squad. The return of influential captain Rob Purdham last week wasn’t enough to halt a rampant Rhinos side, but fans will be hoping he can spark some inspiration against the Wildcats.
The news that wingers Rikki Sheriffe and Matt Gafa and forwards Karl Temata and Jon Grayshon have re-signed for next season has been welcomed by fans, but is tempered by the decision of warhorse second-row Lee Hopkins to retire at the end of the season. All five players have been important in shouldering the burden of the injury crisis.
Wakefield go into the game on the back of a defeat against Bradford, an early season run of form eventually turned patchy and when the two sides met at The Stoop back in April the result was a draw. Coach John Kear has rebuilt much of his side this season, converting the Wildcats from a side heavily reliant of imports to one that has made greater use of home grown players and has consequently seen them lift from a side that only beat the drop on the final game of last season to one challenging for the playoffs.
The game will be a big challenge for the Quins, but if they are to be serious challengers for the playoffs, and to prove to Chairman Ian Lenagan who has been linked to a bid for the Wigan Warriors that the club is moving forward, it’s one they need to win.
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Storm awaits Skolars
The results of last weekend’s RLC Premier games between South London Storm and Kingston Warriors (see here for report) and Kent Ravens and London Skolars II saw the Strom confirm home advantage for this weekend’s semi-final clash with Skolars.
Reigning RLC champions South London Storm are likely to be marginal favourites for the game given home advantage, but only finished above Skolars on points difference in the regular rounds. The Storm have found life harder in this year’s competition following their all conquering run in 2006, the departure of head coach to Rob Powell to the assistant coach position at Harlequins RL and the loss of several influential players including Tani Kingi, Mark Nesbitt, Andy Hames and Todd Brandon, weakening the side.
In contrast to the Storm’s own internal challenges 2007 also proved to be a landmark year in competitiveness of the RLC Premier South, with the decision of St Albans Centurions to drop down from last season’s National League Three competition giving the division a new powerhouse club.
London Skolars II, who previously competed as the Skolars development side under the moniker Haringey Hornets, also seem to have benefited from closer links to their senior side. Many of the players currently playing in the RLC Premier side have significant experience playing and National League Two level.
Storm vs Skolars will kick-off at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday 11th at Storm Park, Thornton Heath, see here for more details.
Reigning RLC champions South London Storm are likely to be marginal favourites for the game given home advantage, but only finished above Skolars on points difference in the regular rounds. The Storm have found life harder in this year’s competition following their all conquering run in 2006, the departure of head coach to Rob Powell to the assistant coach position at Harlequins RL and the loss of several influential players including Tani Kingi, Mark Nesbitt, Andy Hames and Todd Brandon, weakening the side.
In contrast to the Storm’s own internal challenges 2007 also proved to be a landmark year in competitiveness of the RLC Premier South, with the decision of St Albans Centurions to drop down from last season’s National League Three competition giving the division a new powerhouse club.
London Skolars II, who previously competed as the Skolars development side under the moniker Haringey Hornets, also seem to have benefited from closer links to their senior side. Many of the players currently playing in the RLC Premier side have significant experience playing and National League Two level.
Storm vs Skolars will kick-off at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday 11th at Storm Park, Thornton Heath, see here for more details.
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