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.
Friday 29 June 2007
Skolars hope to teach Featherstone a lesson
London Skolars head to Featherstone Rovers on Sunday riding the crest of a three match winning streak, their best return in the professional leagues. However, the match will be a big ask for the men from North London, with Rovers who are currently top of National League Two dispatching them comfortably during their visit to the capital early last month.
Match details including directions can be found here on the Featherstone Rovers site.
In other news the Skolars have announced the return of a popular hospitality event before their next home game against the Keighley Cougars on Saturday 14th July. Details can be found here.
Match details including directions can be found here on the Featherstone Rovers site.
In other news the Skolars have announced the return of a popular hospitality event before their next home game against the Keighley Cougars on Saturday 14th July. Details can be found here.
Quins return to The Stoop
Quins RL return to The Stoop tomorrow for the first time in almost a month, to play Hull KR. In between the last home game the side suffered defeats away at Wigan in the Challenge Cup and Salford away in Super League, but fullback Chris Melling and centre Paul Sykes both made promising debuts in the mid-season Great Britain test match against France last Friday in Leeds.
Opponents Hull KR are experiencing a tough time at the moment, after some good early season results they are finding their first season in Super League a big challenge and are only one point above bottom club Salford. By comparison Quins have maintained a place in the top six in recent weeks and a home win would retain that position.
Despite the arrival of highly rated standoff or loose forward Paul Cooke from cross city rivals Hull FC the Robins have struggled in recent fixtures losing their last three league games, including a 40 – 0 blow out against champions St Helens in the last round. However, there is a danger that the Hull KR pack which features experienced forwards such as Michael Vella, Danny Ward and Mark O’Neill, may outmuscle an under-strength Quins pack.
Quins will be without GB debutant Melling, who picked up a groin strain last weekend, whilst in the halves Danny Orr is also injured; this may see Jon Wells moved to fullback where he’s played competently in the past, with Mark McLinden partnering Scott Hill in the halves. Up front Quins are looking most threadbare, prop David Mills is out with a reported hand injury joining long-term absentee Daniel Heckenberg, but youngster Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook is back after a spell on the treatment table. At the back of the pack influential captain Rob Purdham will miss the rest of the season, but the return of hardworking back-rower Henry Paul should mitigate some of the loss.
Despite the far from ideal situation on the injury front, and forecasted rain which may suit a forward based game, coach Brian McDermott will be quietly confident of a home win. Tickets can still be purchased online or over the phone for collection tomorrow, but fans travelling to the game by car should be aware that the Rosebine car park will be close due to an event at the international stadium.
Opponents Hull KR are experiencing a tough time at the moment, after some good early season results they are finding their first season in Super League a big challenge and are only one point above bottom club Salford. By comparison Quins have maintained a place in the top six in recent weeks and a home win would retain that position.
Despite the arrival of highly rated standoff or loose forward Paul Cooke from cross city rivals Hull FC the Robins have struggled in recent fixtures losing their last three league games, including a 40 – 0 blow out against champions St Helens in the last round. However, there is a danger that the Hull KR pack which features experienced forwards such as Michael Vella, Danny Ward and Mark O’Neill, may outmuscle an under-strength Quins pack.
Quins will be without GB debutant Melling, who picked up a groin strain last weekend, whilst in the halves Danny Orr is also injured; this may see Jon Wells moved to fullback where he’s played competently in the past, with Mark McLinden partnering Scott Hill in the halves. Up front Quins are looking most threadbare, prop David Mills is out with a reported hand injury joining long-term absentee Daniel Heckenberg, but youngster Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook is back after a spell on the treatment table. At the back of the pack influential captain Rob Purdham will miss the rest of the season, but the return of hardworking back-rower Henry Paul should mitigate some of the loss.
Despite the far from ideal situation on the injury front, and forecasted rain which may suit a forward based game, coach Brian McDermott will be quietly confident of a home win. Tickets can still be purchased online or over the phone for collection tomorrow, but fans travelling to the game by car should be aware that the Rosebine car park will be close due to an event at the international stadium.
Monday 25 June 2007
Skolars make it a treble!
London Skolars continued their climb up the National League Two table with a third consecutive win yesterday. The London sided ran out 34 – 12 winners against Swinton at home at the New River Stadium to seal their best ever run of results in the professional ranks.
A full match report is here.
London Skolars: (24) 34
Tries: Hodgkinson 2, Benson, Lynton, Thorman, Tozer
Goals: Thorman 5
Swinton Lions: (0) 12
Tries: Ashall, Bates
Goals: Marsh 2
A full match report is here.
London Skolars: (24) 34
Tries: Hodgkinson 2, Benson, Lynton, Thorman, Tozer
Goals: Thorman 5
Swinton Lions: (0) 12
Tries: Ashall, Bates
Goals: Marsh 2
Tuesday 19 June 2007
Harlequins RL have announced that former Kangaroo test prop Richard Villasanti, an early season capture from Cronulla Sharks, has been forced to retire at the age of 27 after failing to recover from close season knee surgery.
It was hoped that the player nicknamed “Villa the Gorilla” due to his all actions style would add power and aggression to a Quins pack that has been criticised for a lack of depth, but the failure of his knee to respond to rehabilitation has restricted him to just a handful of academy fixtures for the club.
It is hoped that the club will now be able to use up the extra space under the salary cap to bring in a replacement, with the club currently facing problems in the forwards with experienced prop Daniel Heckenberg out for the rest of the season and recent injuries to Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Henry Paul and skipper Rob Purdham.
It was hoped that the player nicknamed “Villa the Gorilla” due to his all actions style would add power and aggression to a Quins pack that has been criticised for a lack of depth, but the failure of his knee to respond to rehabilitation has restricted him to just a handful of academy fixtures for the club.
It is hoped that the club will now be able to use up the extra space under the salary cap to bring in a replacement, with the club currently facing problems in the forwards with experienced prop Daniel Heckenberg out for the rest of the season and recent injuries to Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Henry Paul and skipper Rob Purdham.
Sunday 17 June 2007
Skolars make it two in a row
London Skolars edged themselves up the National League Two table yesterday when they overcame bottom club Blackpool Panthers at home to record their second successive win in the competition.
A full match report will appear here.
London Skolars: (0) 28
Tries: Benson, Price, Hodgkinson 2, Aggrey
Goals: Thorman 4
Blackpool: (8) 14
Tries: Cantillon, Gambles
Goals: Brand 3
A full match report will appear here.
London Skolars: (0) 28
Tries: Benson, Price, Hodgkinson 2, Aggrey
Goals: Thorman 4
Blackpool: (8) 14
Tries: Cantillon, Gambles
Goals: Brand 3
Saturday 16 June 2007
Quins fall at Salford in first ever tryless Super League game
Quins RL succumbed to a narrow defeat away at a resurgent Salford last night, with the first ever tryless Super League game. A goal from John Wilshere and a drop goal from Luke Robinson was all that separated the two sides.
The win was a welcome start for new Salford coach Shaun McRae who faces a tough battle to lift his charges off the foot of the Super League ladder.
A full review can be found here.
Salford: (2) 5
Goals: Wilshere 2
Drop: Robinson
Harlequins RL: (0) 2
Goal: Sykes
The win was a welcome start for new Salford coach Shaun McRae who faces a tough battle to lift his charges off the foot of the Super League ladder.
A full review can be found here.
Salford: (2) 5
Goals: Wilshere 2
Drop: Robinson
Harlequins RL: (0) 2
Goal: Sykes
Monday 11 June 2007
Skolars pass Gateshead test
London Skolars picked up their first win of the season in National League Two yesterday, beating fellow strugglers Gateshead Thunder at the Thunderdome.
A tightly fought contest saw goal kicking prove crucial with Jamie Nowland’s four goals ultimately separating the two sides.
A full match report is here.
Gateshead Thunder: (12) 20
Tries: Harris, Christensen, Martin, N Thorman 2
Goals:
London Skolars: (16) 28
Tries: Honor, Nowland 2, Hodgkinson, Tozer
Goals: Nowland 4
A tightly fought contest saw goal kicking prove crucial with Jamie Nowland’s four goals ultimately separating the two sides.
A full match report is here.
Gateshead Thunder: (12) 20
Tries: Harris, Christensen, Martin, N Thorman 2
Goals:
London Skolars: (16) 28
Tries: Honor, Nowland 2, Hodgkinson, Tozer
Goals: Nowland 4
Saturday 9 June 2007
Wigan dump Quins out of Challenge Cup
Quins RL crashed out of the 2007 Carnegie Challenge Cup last night, going down 25 - 6 to Wigan Warriors at the JJB Stadium.
The Quins had braced themselves for an expected backlash from the Warriors following the previous weekend’s win at home in the league against the same opponents. The home side took an early lead through tries by Chris Ashton and Pat Richards which were to eventually send them in 12 points up at half-time.
Quins pulled the scores back to 12 - 6 after the break when debutant Stephen Bannister, a recent signing from St Helens, went over for a try converted by Paul Sykes. The complexion of the game was changed thirteen minutes into the second-half when winger Jon Wells was sent off for a high tackle, Wells who is not known as a dirty player appears to have been clumsy in his attempt to tackle rather than intentionally aiming to injure Darrell Goulding.
However, the sending off did again raise questions about officiating impartiality following the decision not to punish Bryan Fletcher for apparently striking Quins hooker Julien Rinaldi in an off the ball incident. Two seasons ago Martin Aspinwall, then playing for Wigan, scythed down Wells in a game at Griffin Park with what appeared to be an attempted karate kick, but no further action was taken allegedly after the reviewing committee was unable to find sufficient evidence despite the incident being repeated shown in television footage.
A full match report is here.
Wigan: (12) 25
Tries: Ashton, Richards, Calderwood, O'Loughlin
Goals: Richards 4
Drop goals: Barrett
Harlequins RL: (0) 6
Tries: Bannister
Goals: Sykes
The Quins had braced themselves for an expected backlash from the Warriors following the previous weekend’s win at home in the league against the same opponents. The home side took an early lead through tries by Chris Ashton and Pat Richards which were to eventually send them in 12 points up at half-time.
Quins pulled the scores back to 12 - 6 after the break when debutant Stephen Bannister, a recent signing from St Helens, went over for a try converted by Paul Sykes. The complexion of the game was changed thirteen minutes into the second-half when winger Jon Wells was sent off for a high tackle, Wells who is not known as a dirty player appears to have been clumsy in his attempt to tackle rather than intentionally aiming to injure Darrell Goulding.
However, the sending off did again raise questions about officiating impartiality following the decision not to punish Bryan Fletcher for apparently striking Quins hooker Julien Rinaldi in an off the ball incident. Two seasons ago Martin Aspinwall, then playing for Wigan, scythed down Wells in a game at Griffin Park with what appeared to be an attempted karate kick, but no further action was taken allegedly after the reviewing committee was unable to find sufficient evidence despite the incident being repeated shown in television footage.
A full match report is here.
Wigan: (12) 25
Tries: Ashton, Richards, Calderwood, O'Loughlin
Goals: Richards 4
Drop goals: Barrett
Harlequins RL: (0) 6
Tries: Bannister
Goals: Sykes
Monday 4 June 2007
Hawks swoop to steal points from Skolars
Hunslet Hawks yesterday scraped the narrowest of wins against Lonfon Skolars at New River, running out 20 – 21 winners. The London side appeared in complete control at the half way stage and were on course to pick up their first win of the season only to be denied by a second half fight back from the Hawks which saw fullback Matt Bramald steal the win with a drop goal.
A full match report will appear here.
London Skolars: (18) 20
Tries: Hoptkinson 2, Maitua
Goals: Nowland 4
Hunslet Hawks: (4) 21
Tries: Cook, Smith, Robinson, Cunningham
Goals: Robinson, Bramald
Drop Goals: Bramald
A full match report will appear here.
London Skolars: (18) 20
Tries: Hoptkinson 2, Maitua
Goals: Nowland 4
Hunslet Hawks: (4) 21
Tries: Cook, Smith, Robinson, Cunningham
Goals: Robinson, Bramald
Drop Goals: Bramald
Sunday 3 June 2007
Quins too tough for Warriors
Quins RL moved up to fifth in the Super League following yesterday’s 18 – 8 home win against the Wigan Warriors, but will now be bracing themselves for a backlash when they visit the Warriors on Friday night in the Challenge Cup.
It was Wigan who started brightest when Pat Richards jinking run bamboozled some hesitant Quins defence to create a space for departing fullback Chris Ashton to go over for the opening try just seven minutes in. Richards was unable to add the conversion but the home fans were set on edge by an early period of dominance from the visitors which saw Richards miss another shot on goal, this time for a penalty, after fifteen minutes.
Quins were to overhaul the deficit shortly before the half-hour mark when Matt Gafa, playing in an unfamiliar second-row role found a hole to out in centre Paul Sykes. Sykes added the extra two points and then another two shortly after for a penalty to send the Quins in 8 – 4 up.
It was Quins who were quickest out of the blocks, this time Gafa was the recipient of some good play from halves combination Mark McLinden and Danny Orr, going over for the third try of the game. Sykes added the goal and at 14 – 4 the Quins were looking good value for their lead. Growing indiscipline from a Wigan side frustrated at the parsimonious Quins defence led to another penalty opportunity for Sykes who gratefully accepted another two points to make it 16 – 4.
Just after the hour Wigan did manage to pull back a try, with star man Trent Barrett, who otherwise had a rather quiet game pulling off a piece of individual magic to cross in the south east corner. Richards was again off target with the boot to leave the scores standing at 16 – 8.
The Barrett try was to be Wigan’s last major threat at overhauling the Quins lead as their frustration continued to build leading to a string of errors that ultimately hindered their chances. In the final ten minutes forward Gareth Hock was sent to the sin bin for dissent as tempers frayed, leaving Paul Sykes to seal the scores with another penalty.
If the match had a general theme it was of a rather sloppy first half in which both sides made plenty of errors, only for Quins to tighten up their performance in the second half to give them the edge over Wigan. Quins fans had been concerned that the absence of reliable skipper Rob Purdham and hard working back-row Henry Paul (who dropped out before kick-off) would weaken the defensive unit, but the fears were largely unfounded. Gafa had a surprisingly effective performance in the back-row alongside Lee Hopkins, Michael Worrincy and Joe Mbu (in his first game back following a stint at Doncaster). Orr completely outplayed his counterpart, former Quins halve Tommy Leuluai, and looks far more comfortable playing alongside McLinden. If there was a downside it was that Scott Hill once again failed to impose himself on the game, with another quiet performance.
Wigan on their part looked short of cutting edge, giving rise to the suggestion that when Barrett has a quiet game the Warriors have a quiet game. Iafeta Paleaaesina put in some strong running in his first spell but faded badly, whilst front-row partner Stuart Fielden was also largely anonymous. Back-rowers Hock, Sean O’Loughlin and Bryan Fletcher worked hard without great reward, but some sloppy head high tackles particularly from Hock undid some of their good work. In the backs Richards looked sharp but was denied good service, whilst Ashton looked suspect in defence and under the high ball but did show some good running lines going forward.
Quins head coach Brian McDermott knows that this Wigan team is capable of far better performances and will be wary of Friday’s challenge cup game at the JJB Stadium. In front of an expectant home crowd Wigan will be driven by what they see as their best chance of silverware this season and should present a far tougher prospect.
Harlequins RL: (8) 18
Tries: Sykes, Gafa
Goals: Sykes 5
Wigan: (4) 8
Tries: Ashton, Barrett
It was Wigan who started brightest when Pat Richards jinking run bamboozled some hesitant Quins defence to create a space for departing fullback Chris Ashton to go over for the opening try just seven minutes in. Richards was unable to add the conversion but the home fans were set on edge by an early period of dominance from the visitors which saw Richards miss another shot on goal, this time for a penalty, after fifteen minutes.
Quins were to overhaul the deficit shortly before the half-hour mark when Matt Gafa, playing in an unfamiliar second-row role found a hole to out in centre Paul Sykes. Sykes added the extra two points and then another two shortly after for a penalty to send the Quins in 8 – 4 up.
It was Quins who were quickest out of the blocks, this time Gafa was the recipient of some good play from halves combination Mark McLinden and Danny Orr, going over for the third try of the game. Sykes added the goal and at 14 – 4 the Quins were looking good value for their lead. Growing indiscipline from a Wigan side frustrated at the parsimonious Quins defence led to another penalty opportunity for Sykes who gratefully accepted another two points to make it 16 – 4.
Just after the hour Wigan did manage to pull back a try, with star man Trent Barrett, who otherwise had a rather quiet game pulling off a piece of individual magic to cross in the south east corner. Richards was again off target with the boot to leave the scores standing at 16 – 8.
The Barrett try was to be Wigan’s last major threat at overhauling the Quins lead as their frustration continued to build leading to a string of errors that ultimately hindered their chances. In the final ten minutes forward Gareth Hock was sent to the sin bin for dissent as tempers frayed, leaving Paul Sykes to seal the scores with another penalty.
If the match had a general theme it was of a rather sloppy first half in which both sides made plenty of errors, only for Quins to tighten up their performance in the second half to give them the edge over Wigan. Quins fans had been concerned that the absence of reliable skipper Rob Purdham and hard working back-row Henry Paul (who dropped out before kick-off) would weaken the defensive unit, but the fears were largely unfounded. Gafa had a surprisingly effective performance in the back-row alongside Lee Hopkins, Michael Worrincy and Joe Mbu (in his first game back following a stint at Doncaster). Orr completely outplayed his counterpart, former Quins halve Tommy Leuluai, and looks far more comfortable playing alongside McLinden. If there was a downside it was that Scott Hill once again failed to impose himself on the game, with another quiet performance.
Wigan on their part looked short of cutting edge, giving rise to the suggestion that when Barrett has a quiet game the Warriors have a quiet game. Iafeta Paleaaesina put in some strong running in his first spell but faded badly, whilst front-row partner Stuart Fielden was also largely anonymous. Back-rowers Hock, Sean O’Loughlin and Bryan Fletcher worked hard without great reward, but some sloppy head high tackles particularly from Hock undid some of their good work. In the backs Richards looked sharp but was denied good service, whilst Ashton looked suspect in defence and under the high ball but did show some good running lines going forward.
Quins head coach Brian McDermott knows that this Wigan team is capable of far better performances and will be wary of Friday’s challenge cup game at the JJB Stadium. In front of an expectant home crowd Wigan will be driven by what they see as their best chance of silverware this season and should present a far tougher prospect.
Harlequins RL: (8) 18
Tries: Sykes, Gafa
Goals: Sykes 5
Wigan: (4) 8
Tries: Ashton, Barrett
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
