Giovanni Cinque, general manager of South London Storm, recently unveiled details of the club’s plans for the forthcoming season.
Following the departure of head coach Andy Gilvary at the end of last season, former London Skolars player Marcus Tobin will be taking over the coaching reigns at Strom Park. Tobin who also played for St Albans Centurions has built up a solid coaching record over the last few years, working with the London Broncos Academy set-up, England Lionhearts, London Skolars and most recently the Cambridge University side. Following the successes of recent years Tobin will inherit the core of a very good squad and will hope to continue the work done by Gilvary and Rob Powell before him.
Players will benefit from reduced membership rates this year, with annual subscription costs dropping £20 from last season to just £80 (payable in a variety of ways). As well as receiving a club polo shirt as part of their membership, players will also qualify for a free season ticket covering all Harlequins RL Super League games.
The free season ticket offer is likely to be based on the unallocated East Stand season ticket currently being offered for £65 by Quins RL (see here for further details). It is not yet clear whether the free ticket offer is being extended to playing members of all London amateur clubs, but it would fit with recent comments made by Quins RL CEO Paul Brown that he was planning an initiative to reward the contribution of the amateur clubs to rugby league in London.
In recent years Quins RL have faced criticism for playing their fixtures concurrent with the local amateur competitions; given that fewer clashes are scheduled for the 2008 season such a move may well help build stronger bridges with the amateur clubs. Quins RL will no doubt be hoping to recoup some of the investment via match day merchandising.
Storm’s pre-season preparations start 7:30 Tuesday 11th March down at Storm Park (see here for further details), with the first pre-season trial match against Kent Ravens slated for 2:30 at Princes Park in Dartford (further details tba).
Showing posts with label South London Storm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South London Storm. Show all posts
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Friday, 9 November 2007
Paul Brown talks Rugby League
An interview with new Quins RL CEO Paul Brown is now up on the South London Storm website, discussing his time at the helm of the Storm and his thoughts on rugby league in London.
See here for details.
See here for details.
Sunday, 19 August 2007
St Albans claim RLC Premier South title
St Albans Centurions picked up the 2007 RLC Premier South title yesterday with a hard fought 18 - 10 win against the holding champions South London Storm.
The opening exchanges were a cagey affair, marked by frequent penalties from both sides, St Albans in particular looking rusty after a three-week rest period. So it was no surprise when the Storm put first points on the board through a try from winger Ollie Bloom after eleven minutes. A 40-20 kick from Storm scrumhalf Darren Bartley gave his side the field position to build pressure on the opposition line, before Bloom collected a smart cross field kick from Steve Guan to touch down in the left hand corner.
However, the Storm were to suffer a major setback ten minutes later when influential hooker Luke Bonner picked up a match ending injury attempting to burrow his way over the line.
The Centurions levelled the match on twenty-four minutes when centre Russ Kellaway scored a superb individual try, using some deceptive broken field running to weave his way through the Storm defence.
Storm hit the front again just three minutes from the break when a well-executed passing move saw Bartley deliver the final ball to Paul Bottomley who dove over for the try. Bartley converted to provide a six-point cushion.
The Centurions immediately stepped up the pressure at the other end, and duly earned a penalty for not standing square at the play the ball from the back-peddling Storm defence, providing hooker Richard Smith the opportunity to power his way over under the sticks. Craig Foster added the conversion to send the sides into the break 10 a piece.
The first ten minutes of the second half opened brightly with some end-to-end, free flowing rugby, with both sides dropping the ball in promising positions, before the St Albans side really began to click. Winger Rudi van der Merwe broke free of the Storm defence to race over and end the deadlock. Five minutes later his colleague on the other wing, Ollie Fountain, scored the try of the game with a weaving run through the Storm defence to make it 18 – 10.
At that stage the men from South London looked to be running out of steam, but managed to find a second wind as the game entered its final quarter. Loose forward Mickey Walker looked to have put the game back in contention with a well weighted chip over the Centurions defence on sixty-seven minutes, but the resulting touch down was ruled out by a very harsh offside call.
St Albans dug in and worked their way through the pressure with some solid, percentages rugby league, driving down the middle of the field and turning around South London with some intelligent positional kicking. Five minutes from time Centurions fullback Kristian Warner found himself in the sin-bin for a professional foul on his own ten metre line, but a tiring South London were unable to capitalise on the extra man advantage.
The Centurions will now have a week off before facing Welsh side Bridgend Blue Bulls in Bristol to claim a place in the final of the national competition.
St Albans Centurions: (10) 18
Tries: Kellaway, Smith, van der Merwe, Fountain
Goals: Foster
South London Storm: (10) 10
Tries: Bloom, Bottomley
Goals: Bartley
The opening exchanges were a cagey affair, marked by frequent penalties from both sides, St Albans in particular looking rusty after a three-week rest period. So it was no surprise when the Storm put first points on the board through a try from winger Ollie Bloom after eleven minutes. A 40-20 kick from Storm scrumhalf Darren Bartley gave his side the field position to build pressure on the opposition line, before Bloom collected a smart cross field kick from Steve Guan to touch down in the left hand corner.
However, the Storm were to suffer a major setback ten minutes later when influential hooker Luke Bonner picked up a match ending injury attempting to burrow his way over the line.
The Centurions levelled the match on twenty-four minutes when centre Russ Kellaway scored a superb individual try, using some deceptive broken field running to weave his way through the Storm defence.
Storm hit the front again just three minutes from the break when a well-executed passing move saw Bartley deliver the final ball to Paul Bottomley who dove over for the try. Bartley converted to provide a six-point cushion.
The Centurions immediately stepped up the pressure at the other end, and duly earned a penalty for not standing square at the play the ball from the back-peddling Storm defence, providing hooker Richard Smith the opportunity to power his way over under the sticks. Craig Foster added the conversion to send the sides into the break 10 a piece.
The first ten minutes of the second half opened brightly with some end-to-end, free flowing rugby, with both sides dropping the ball in promising positions, before the St Albans side really began to click. Winger Rudi van der Merwe broke free of the Storm defence to race over and end the deadlock. Five minutes later his colleague on the other wing, Ollie Fountain, scored the try of the game with a weaving run through the Storm defence to make it 18 – 10.
At that stage the men from South London looked to be running out of steam, but managed to find a second wind as the game entered its final quarter. Loose forward Mickey Walker looked to have put the game back in contention with a well weighted chip over the Centurions defence on sixty-seven minutes, but the resulting touch down was ruled out by a very harsh offside call.
St Albans dug in and worked their way through the pressure with some solid, percentages rugby league, driving down the middle of the field and turning around South London with some intelligent positional kicking. Five minutes from time Centurions fullback Kristian Warner found himself in the sin-bin for a professional foul on his own ten metre line, but a tiring South London were unable to capitalise on the extra man advantage.
The Centurions will now have a week off before facing Welsh side Bridgend Blue Bulls in Bristol to claim a place in the final of the national competition.
St Albans Centurions: (10) 18
Tries: Kellaway, Smith, van der Merwe, Fountain
Goals: Foster
South London Storm: (10) 10
Tries: Bloom, Bottomley
Goals: Bartley
Saturday, 18 August 2007
Double-header at Twickenham Stoop
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.
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.
Sunday, 12 August 2007
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
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.
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
London ARL Finals: week 1 wrap-up
Reigning London ARL champions South London Storm II were knocked out of the competition at the weekend by St Albans Centurions II.
The Centurions will travel to Hainault Bulldogs this weekend for the first semi-final, Hainault qualify as London ARL minor premiers, a remarkable result in their debut season.
The second semi-final will see third placed Eastern Raiders travel to second placed Southgate Skolars (a joint venture between London Skolars and Southgate College).
Both quarter finals will be played on Saturday 11th August, for venues and times see club websites or London ARL website.
The Centurions will travel to Hainault Bulldogs this weekend for the first semi-final, Hainault qualify as London ARL minor premiers, a remarkable result in their debut season.
The second semi-final will see third placed Eastern Raiders travel to second placed Southgate Skolars (a joint venture between London Skolars and Southgate College).
Both quarter finals will be played on Saturday 11th August, for venues and times see club websites or London ARL website.
Sunday, 29 July 2007
RLC Premier Roundup
The RLC Premier South is heating up with St Albans Centurions claiming the minor premiership following the failure of Kingston Warriors to raise a side for this weekend’s clash. They will now meet either South London Storm or London Skolars A in the regional final to be played at The Stoop before Harlequins game against Wigan on August 18th.
Reigning champions South London Storm have hit a patchy run of form winning just four of their last seven games seeing them fall into an unfamiliar second place, whilst London Skolars A are staging a late run to overtake them from third and gain home advantage for the semi-final playoff for the second spot in the region final. If yesterday’s game is any guide the match-up should provide a thriller, with Skolars A sneaking an away win against the Storm with a last minute drop goal.
Much will depend on the final round of fixtures with Kingston Warriors visiting Storm Park next Saturday, whilst London Skolars A will be the inaugural visitors to Kent Ravens new home at Princes Park. The Ravens have found it tough this season, having stepped up a division, but will be hoping to mark the beginning of a new era in the club’s history with a victory against one of the division’s big sides.
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Storm Dream Team announced
South London Storm announced their dream at the weekend, the Thornton Heath based outfit who are the reigning Rugby League Conference Premier champions are currently celebrating their tenth anniversary
To see the full list click here.
To see the full list click here.
Friday, 29 June 2007
South London Storm anniversary celebrations
South London Storm will be hosting a celebration of their 10th anniversary at the City Golf Bar, near Blackfiars station, on the evening of Saturday 7th July.
Details of the all ticket event can be found here on the club’s facebook pages, or here on the club’s official website.
Details of the all ticket event can be found here on the club’s facebook pages, or here on the club’s official website.
Sunday, 27 May 2007
South London Storm blow their way to the top
South London Storm yesterday overpowered London Skolars A at New River Stadium to consolidate their position at the top of RLC Premier South. A tight first half saw just 4 points separate the visitors from their hosts, the struggle continued into the second half before the Storm finally pulled away in the closing quarter of the game.
A full match report is here.
London Skolars A: (16) 26
South London Storm: (20) 44
A full match report is here.
London Skolars A: (16) 26
South London Storm: (20) 44
Friday, 25 May 2007
Feast of Rugby League planned at New River
Tomorrow will see a full day of rugby league action at New River Stadium in Tottenham as London Skolars reserve grade take on reigning champions South London Storm in the RLC Premier, followed by the first grade team who entertain Oldham Roughyeds in a National League Two fixture.
The RLC Premier clash presents an intriguing match-up with both sides sharing joint top spot on the divisional ladder, with both unbeaten after four games. The Storm, who swept all before them last season are facing up to a much tougher prospect the season and were lucky to scrape past West London Sharks last weekend.
In the National League Two game Skolars will be buoyed by their draw against Keighley Cougars last weekend which saw them end a horrendous run of defeats and also lifted them above Gateshead Thunder into tenth place.
The action will start from 11:00 with a full programme of junior fixtures; Skolars A versus South London kicks off at 12:45, with Skolars versus Oldham following at 15:00.
More information is available here.
The RLC Premier clash presents an intriguing match-up with both sides sharing joint top spot on the divisional ladder, with both unbeaten after four games. The Storm, who swept all before them last season are facing up to a much tougher prospect the season and were lucky to scrape past West London Sharks last weekend.
In the National League Two game Skolars will be buoyed by their draw against Keighley Cougars last weekend which saw them end a horrendous run of defeats and also lifted them above Gateshead Thunder into tenth place.
The action will start from 11:00 with a full programme of junior fixtures; Skolars A versus South London kicks off at 12:45, with Skolars versus Oldham following at 15:00.
More information is available here.
Sunday, 20 May 2007
Storm edge out Sharks
South London Storm narrowly overcame a committed West London Sharks side 28 - 32 yesterday at Grasshoppers, their second win over the Sharks this season.
West London can feel unlucky not to have earned a share of the spoils against the reigning champions and reinforces just how tough this division has become.
A full match report is here.
West London can feel unlucky not to have earned a share of the spoils against the reigning champions and reinforces just how tough this division has become.
A full match report is here.
Friday, 18 May 2007
Wests Vs Souths double header
West London Sharks will take on South London Storm at home tomorrow seeking revenge for the heavy defeat they suffered on the opening day of the RLC Premier.
Both sides will be fielding their first and second grade sides in a double header London derby, with the second teams kicking off at 1pm and the first team kicking off at 2.30pm.
The games are being played at Grasshoppers in West London, click here for directions.
Both sides will be fielding their first and second grade sides in a double header London derby, with the second teams kicking off at 1pm and the first team kicking off at 2.30pm.
The games are being played at Grasshoppers in West London, click here for directions.
Sunday, 13 May 2007
Storm stops the Rhinos
South London Storm’s first team provided a fitting end to yesterday’s family festival down at Storm Park, beating top RLC side Ipswich Rhinos 18 – 4.
The event featuring visits from Quins RL stars Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Henry Paul was attended by five hundred visitors and attracted the attention of the Sky Sports cameras.
More information here.
The event featuring visits from Quins RL stars Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Henry Paul was attended by five hundred visitors and attracted the attention of the Sky Sports cameras.
More information here.
Thursday, 10 May 2007
South London Festival of Rugby League
South London Storm will be holding a family rugby league festival this Saturday beginning at 10am with a programme of juniors fixtures running through to the first team game against Ipswich Rhinos at 2:30pm.
The event is aimed at developing the club’s relationship with the local community as well as involving promoting the club and its sponsors to the widest possible audience. Admission is free and as well as a full programme of games there will be a BBQ, bar and appearances from Harlequins RL players.
Visitors Ipswich Rhinos are also likely to provide the Storm one of their toughest tests of the season so far, the Rhinos have been one of the South London club’s biggest rivals in recent years and are likely to challenge strongly for this season’s RLC Premier South title.
More details can be found here.
The event is aimed at developing the club’s relationship with the local community as well as involving promoting the club and its sponsors to the widest possible audience. Admission is free and as well as a full programme of games there will be a BBQ, bar and appearances from Harlequins RL players.
Visitors Ipswich Rhinos are also likely to provide the Storm one of their toughest tests of the season so far, the Rhinos have been one of the South London club’s biggest rivals in recent years and are likely to challenge strongly for this season’s RLC Premier South title.
More details can be found here.
Thursday, 3 May 2007
Storm to develop touch rugby team
South London Storm have announced they are developing a touch rugby side for those players who are interested in playing the game but are unable to commit to full contact rugby league.
Training is planned to run on Monday nights down at Clapham Common, players of all abilities are welcome whether simply looking to get fit and have some fun or to develop their rugby skills.
Details can be found here.
Training is planned to run on Monday nights down at Clapham Common, players of all abilities are welcome whether simply looking to get fit and have some fun or to develop their rugby skills.
Details can be found here.
Sunday, 29 April 2007
Mixed results for South London Storm
South London Storm’s first team overcame a strong challenge for St Albans Centurions to maintain their 100% record in this seasons RLC Premier, running out 26 – 22 victors yesterday. Match report here.
Things were not so bright for the Storm second team, who went down 22 – 38 to London ARL new boys London Griffins. Match report here.
South London Storm: 26
St Albans Centurions: 22
South London Storm “A”: 22
London Griffins: 38
Things were not so bright for the Storm second team, who went down 22 – 38 to London ARL new boys London Griffins. Match report here.
South London Storm: 26
St Albans Centurions: 22
South London Storm “A”: 22
London Griffins: 38
Saturday, 28 April 2007
South London double header
Both of South London Storm’s sides will face a tough test today in their first home games of the season. The first team, reigning RLC Premier champions, face the imposing prospect of St Albans Centurions, whilst the second team, reigning London ARL champions, will face London Griffins.
St Albans will arguably pose the greatest test to South London’s hopes of defending the RLC Premier title, having dropped down from playing in National League Two. West London based Griffins are a new team to the London League having been established as a tag-rugby side.
Storm v Griffins kicks off at 1.00 p.m. with the Storm v Centurions following at 2.30. Both games are played at Storm Park in Thornton Heath.
St Albans will arguably pose the greatest test to South London’s hopes of defending the RLC Premier title, having dropped down from playing in National League Two. West London based Griffins are a new team to the London League having been established as a tag-rugby side.
Storm v Griffins kicks off at 1.00 p.m. with the Storm v Centurions following at 2.30. Both games are played at Storm Park in Thornton Heath.
Sunday, 15 April 2007
Storm blows away the Sharks
South London Storm yesterday ran out convincing winners over arch-rivals West London Sharks in the opening game of the RLC Premier at The Twickenham Stoop.
The Storm started the first half strongest, with impressive standoff Mick Walker crashing over for the first try after eight minutes, before converting his own score. Five minutes later fullback Darren Bartley went over in the corner to push the scores out to 10 – 0, with Walker pulling wide with the conversion attempt. On fifteen minutes the lead was extended again when an attacking kick from scrumhalf Richard Spence took a wicked bounce to beat the Sharks fullback Tom Howden allowing him to recollect and add the third Storm try, Walker was again wide with the conversion, but at 14 – 0 the signs were looking ominous for West London.
However, the Sharks began to find some form of their own and put together a passage of good play consistently pressuring the Storm defence which eventually resorted to holding down to slow the fight back. From the resulting penalty powerful Sharks centre Graham Robbings forced his way over, with loose forward Nick Elliott adding the extras to make the score 14 – 6.
On the half hour mark Storm interchange Neil Templeman punished a tiring West London defence with some strong running out wide to go in for a try in the corner to make it 18 – 6. The Sharks hit back on thirty-six minutes through winger Dan Coffey, with Elliott’s conversion from the touchline scraping over via the crossbar to narrow the scores to 18 – 12.
The final minutes of the half saw a flurry of activity with both sides looking to punish tired legs, first Sharks fullback Howden made a blistering break down the eastern touchline only to be pulled down short by some desperate Storm defence; then Storm winger Carl Zacharow almost went in at the opposite end but strayed over the touchline on his way to the try line.
After the break it was the Storm who again started the quickest with hooker Luke Bonner pulled down just short of the line, only for quicksilver winger Neal Ayers to scoot over from the resulting play the ball. Two minutes later Zacharow added another try, this one converted by fullback Bartley, and at 28 – 12 it looked as if the floodgates had burst on the Sharks.
To their credit the men from West London did not capitulate, some reorganisation gave Howden the chance to break with another brilliant, jinking run, only this time there was no last ditch tackle to save the Storm from conceding in the corner. Elliott missed the conversion but at 28 – 16 with fifty minutes gone the Sharks were back within two converted scores.
The South London reaction was to step-up another gear and on fifty-five minutes Craig Guthrie’s try made it 32 – 16, whilst a few minutes later winger Zacharow almost added another but was forced into touch before he could get the offload away. But there was to be little respite for the Sharks, departing ex-skipper Tane Kingi jinked over on the hour, with Bartley’s conversion making it 38 – 16. Not to be outdone Kingi’s back-row partner and successor as captain Al Emerson was to get his name on the score sheet just two minutes later, with Bartley again converting to push the score line out to 44 – 16.
Just as it seemed the Storm were running rampant West London made a late attempt at a comeback with a good period of possession resulting in an effort held up in goal, predictably the Storm only upped their game in response with two much deserved tries in the last ten minutes to the hugely influential Bonner, whose clever running lines and distribution around the rucks was a major force in putting the South London side on the front foot throughout the game.
This win should send out the message to the rest of the RLC Premier South that South London Storm are well primed to defend their title, with the creative axis of Walker and Bonner giving the side real direction. Credit must also go to West London, who showed they can be competitive and who with a few more run-outs to work off the rustiness and to adjust to the summer conditions will offer a far stiffer test when the sides meet again at Storm Park in July.
West London Sharks: (12) 16
Tries: Robbings, Coffey, Howden
Goals: Elliott 2
South London Storm: (18) 56
Tries: Walker, Bartley, Spence, Templeman, Ayers, Zacharow, Guthrie, Kingi, Emerson, Bonner 2
Goals: Walker, Bartley 5
The Storm started the first half strongest, with impressive standoff Mick Walker crashing over for the first try after eight minutes, before converting his own score. Five minutes later fullback Darren Bartley went over in the corner to push the scores out to 10 – 0, with Walker pulling wide with the conversion attempt. On fifteen minutes the lead was extended again when an attacking kick from scrumhalf Richard Spence took a wicked bounce to beat the Sharks fullback Tom Howden allowing him to recollect and add the third Storm try, Walker was again wide with the conversion, but at 14 – 0 the signs were looking ominous for West London.
However, the Sharks began to find some form of their own and put together a passage of good play consistently pressuring the Storm defence which eventually resorted to holding down to slow the fight back. From the resulting penalty powerful Sharks centre Graham Robbings forced his way over, with loose forward Nick Elliott adding the extras to make the score 14 – 6.
On the half hour mark Storm interchange Neil Templeman punished a tiring West London defence with some strong running out wide to go in for a try in the corner to make it 18 – 6. The Sharks hit back on thirty-six minutes through winger Dan Coffey, with Elliott’s conversion from the touchline scraping over via the crossbar to narrow the scores to 18 – 12.
The final minutes of the half saw a flurry of activity with both sides looking to punish tired legs, first Sharks fullback Howden made a blistering break down the eastern touchline only to be pulled down short by some desperate Storm defence; then Storm winger Carl Zacharow almost went in at the opposite end but strayed over the touchline on his way to the try line.
After the break it was the Storm who again started the quickest with hooker Luke Bonner pulled down just short of the line, only for quicksilver winger Neal Ayers to scoot over from the resulting play the ball. Two minutes later Zacharow added another try, this one converted by fullback Bartley, and at 28 – 12 it looked as if the floodgates had burst on the Sharks.
To their credit the men from West London did not capitulate, some reorganisation gave Howden the chance to break with another brilliant, jinking run, only this time there was no last ditch tackle to save the Storm from conceding in the corner. Elliott missed the conversion but at 28 – 16 with fifty minutes gone the Sharks were back within two converted scores.
The South London reaction was to step-up another gear and on fifty-five minutes Craig Guthrie’s try made it 32 – 16, whilst a few minutes later winger Zacharow almost added another but was forced into touch before he could get the offload away. But there was to be little respite for the Sharks, departing ex-skipper Tane Kingi jinked over on the hour, with Bartley’s conversion making it 38 – 16. Not to be outdone Kingi’s back-row partner and successor as captain Al Emerson was to get his name on the score sheet just two minutes later, with Bartley again converting to push the score line out to 44 – 16.
Just as it seemed the Storm were running rampant West London made a late attempt at a comeback with a good period of possession resulting in an effort held up in goal, predictably the Storm only upped their game in response with two much deserved tries in the last ten minutes to the hugely influential Bonner, whose clever running lines and distribution around the rucks was a major force in putting the South London side on the front foot throughout the game.
This win should send out the message to the rest of the RLC Premier South that South London Storm are well primed to defend their title, with the creative axis of Walker and Bonner giving the side real direction. Credit must also go to West London, who showed they can be competitive and who with a few more run-outs to work off the rustiness and to adjust to the summer conditions will offer a far stiffer test when the sides meet again at Storm Park in July.
West London Sharks: (12) 16
Tries: Robbings, Coffey, Howden
Goals: Elliott 2
South London Storm: (18) 56
Tries: Walker, Bartley, Spence, Templeman, Ayers, Zacharow, Guthrie, Kingi, Emerson, Bonner 2
Goals: Walker, Bartley 5
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