2019 London Skolars season
← 2018 | List of seasons | 2020 → |
The 2019 London Skolars season is the 25th in the club's history, and seventeenth as a professional rugby league outfit. Competing in Betfred League 1, the third tier of British Rugby League and playing at the New River Stadium, London N22, the team is coached by Jermaine Coleman for the fifth consecutive season.
Year Review
January
Just prior to Christmas the London Skolars announce that Betfred Championship club, Toronto Wolfpack are to invest in the London club as part of a ground-breaking transatlantic deal.[1][2]
The 2019 Betfred League 1 fixtures, released in November 2018, schedule the London Skolars to travel to West Wales Raiders on the second weekend of the season on 23 February. The first home match will see Jermaine Coleman's team play host to Newcastle Thunder on 2 March in a Round 3 fixture.
On the field London Skolars preparations for the new season begin with a now traditional friendly contest against current Super League champions, Wigan Warriors at the Honourable Artillery Company Grounds on the third Friday of the month. A battling display from Jermaine Coleman's men ensures an absorbing contest and a respectable 6-34 reversal against a team containing a number of first teamers.[3]
The following Friday sees the London Skolars complete their pre-season preparations as they entertain London Broncos at the New River Stadium. A disappointing first half has the home side trailing by 26 points at the break, but a stirring second half performance yields four tries for the North Londoners, courtesy of Harrison Brough, Jordan Williams, Mike Greenhalgh and Neil Thorman, although these prove insufficient as the hosts lose 22-36.[4]
February
The London Skolars announce their Round 6 fixture against Leon Pryce's Workington Town on Saturday 6 April will be played as part of an exciting double-header, which will also see Betfred Championship club, Toronto Wolfpack entertain Sheffield Eagles at the New River Stadium.[5]
The north londoners begin their Betfred League 1 campaign with a hard-fought (28-18) away success against West Wales Raiders. A hat-trick of tries from Wigan Warriors dual-registration centre, Sam Grant inspires Jermaine Coleman’s team to return to the capital with the two competition points despite a plucky performance from the Welsh outfit.
March
Milestones
February
- Liam Scott made his London Skolars Betfred League 1 debut in the round 2 away victory at West Wales Raiders.
- Richard Wilkinson made his first Betfred League 1 start in a London Skolars shirt as the Londoners secured the two points in the round 2 clash at West Wales Raiders.
- Xavier Rice made his London Skolars Betfred League 1 debut in the round 2 away success at West Wales Raiders.
- Omari Caro played in his 100th professional game in the round 2 triumph at West Wales Raiders, eleven of them for London Skolars.
March
Tables
Betfred League 1
Pos | Team
| Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 20 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 582 | 283 | +299 | 32 | Champions |
2 | ![]() | 20 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 655 | 341 | +314 | 30 | Play-off semi-final |
3 | ![]() | 20 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 741 | 364 | +377 | 29 | Play-off qualifying final |
4 | ![]() | 20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 564 | 309 | +255 | 24 | |
5 | ![]() | 20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 596 | 379 | +217 | 24 | Play-off elimination final |
6 | ![]() | 20 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 592 | 478 | +114 | 21 | |
7 | ![]() | 20 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 489 | 501 | −12 | 18 | |
8 | ![]() | 20 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 440 | 542 | −102 | 15 | |
9 | ![]() | 20 | 4 | 0 | 16 | 365 | 829 | −464 | 8 | |
10 | ![]() | 20 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 447 | 576 | −129 | 5[a] | |
11 | ![]() | 20 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 222 | 1091 | −869 | 2 |
Notes:
- ^ Keighley deducted 12 points for transfer of RFL membership during the close season.[6]
Fixtures and Results (Skolars Score First)
LEGEND | |
---|---|
Win | |
Draw | |
Loss |
Pre-season
Date | Competition | Vrs | H/A | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Att | Live on TV | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18/01/2019 | CAPITAL CHALLENGE - Friendly | ![]() | Home | Honourable Artillery Company Grounds | L | 6-34 | Williams | Barran | 712 | - | Report |
25/01/2019 | Friendly | ![]() | Home | New River Stadium | L | 22-36 | Brough, Williams, Greenhalgh (M), Thorman | Thorman 3/4 | 400 | - | Report |
Betfred League 1
Date | Competition | Vrs | H/A | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Att | Live on TV | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
23/02/2019 | Round 2 | ![]() | Away | Stebonheath Park | W | 28-18 | Grant 3, Caro, Williams | Thorman 1/1, Barran 3/4 | 250 | - | Report |
02/03/2019 | Round 3 | ![]() | Home | New River Stadium | L | 12-48 | Meadows, Greenhalgh M | Thorman 2/2 | - | ||
16/03/2019 | Round 4 | ![]() | Home - KO 3pm | New River Stadium | - | ||||||
24/03/2019 | Round 5 | ![]() | Away - KO 3pm | Vestacare Stadium | - | ||||||
06/04/2019 | Round 6 | ![]() | Home - KO 12.15pm | New River Stadium | - | ||||||
19/04/2019 | Round 7 | ![]() | Away - KO 3pm | Butts Park Arena | - | ||||||
28/04/2019 | Round 8 | ![]() | Away - KO 3pm | South Leeds Stadium | - | ||||||
11/05/2019 | Round 1 | ![]() | Home - KO 3pm | New River Stadium | - | ||||||
18/05/2019 | Round 9 | ![]() | Home - KO 4.30pm | New River Stadium | - | ||||||
25/05/2019 | Round 10 | ![]() | Away - KO 3pm | Recreation Ground (Whitehaven) | - | ||||||
15/06/2019 | Round 12 | ![]() | Home - KO 3pm | New River Stadium | - | ||||||
22/06/2019 | Round 13 | ![]() | Away - KO 3pm | Cougar Park | - | ||||||
29/06/2019 | Round 14 | ![]() | Home - KO 3pm | New River Stadium | - | ||||||
06/07/2109 | Round 15 | ![]() | Home - KO 3pm | New River Stadium | - | ||||||
14/07/2019 | Round 16 | ![]() | Away - KO 3pm | Derwent Park | - | ||||||
20/07/2019 | Round 17 | ![]() | Away - KO 3pm | Kingston Park Stadium | - | ||||||
03/08/2019 | Round 18 | ![]() | Home - KO 3pm | New River Stadium | - | ||||||
11/08/2019 | Round 19 | ![]() | Away - KO 3pm | Keepmoat Stadium | - | ||||||
23/08/2019 | Round 20 | ![]() | Home - KO 7pm | New River Stadium | - | ||||||
07/09/2019 | Round 22 | ![]() | Away - KO 3pm | Queensway Stadium | - |
Coral Challenge Cup
Date | Competition | Rnd | Vrs | H/A | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Att | Live on TV | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10/03/2019 | Challenge Cup | Round 3 | ![]() | Home - KO 2pm | New River Stadium | - | ||||||
Challenge Cup | - |
Player appearances
Betfred League 1
FB=Fullback (1) | W=Winger (2 & 5) | C=Centre (3 & 4) | SO=Stand Off (6) | SH=Scrum half (7) | P=Prop (8) | H=Hooker (9) | FR=Front Row (10) | SR=Second Row (11 & 12) | LF=Loose forward (13) | I=Interchange (14-17) |
---|
Squad No | Player | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R5 | R14 | R15 | R16 | R17 | R18 | R19 | R20 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Iliess Macani | C | C | ||||||||||||||||||
2 | Gideon Boafa -[a] | W | W | ||||||||||||||||||
3 | Sam Grant-[b] | C | C | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | TBC | x | x | ||||||||||||||||||
5 | Lameck Juma | x | W | ||||||||||||||||||
6 | James Barran -[c] | SO | SO | ||||||||||||||||||
7 | James Meadows | x | SH | ||||||||||||||||||
8 | Judd Greenhalgh | FR | P | ||||||||||||||||||
9 | Neil Thorman | H | H | ||||||||||||||||||
10 | Liam Scott | I | FR | ||||||||||||||||||
11 | Jordan Williams | SR | SR | ||||||||||||||||||
12 | Michael Greenhalgh | SR | SR | ||||||||||||||||||
13 | Daniel Hindmarsh -[d] | LF | LF | ||||||||||||||||||
14 | Richard Wilkinson | FB | FB | ||||||||||||||||||
15 | Isaac Ah-Kuoi-Atmore | I | I | ||||||||||||||||||
16 | Matt Ross | I | I | ||||||||||||||||||
17 | Lamont Bryan | P | I | ||||||||||||||||||
18 | Xavier Rice | I | x | ||||||||||||||||||
19 | Omari Caro | W | x | ||||||||||||||||||
20 | Mike Bishay | SH | I |
- Notes
Coral Challenge Cup
FB=Fullback (1) | W=Winger (2 & 5) | C=Centre (3 & 4) | SO=Stand Off (6) | SH=Scrum half (7) | P=Prop (8) | H=Hooker (9) | FR=Front Row (10) | SR=Second Row (11 & 12) | LF=Loose forward (13) | I=Interchange (14-17) |
---|
Squad No | Player | R3 | R4 |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Iliess Macani | ||
2 | Gideon Boafa -[a] | ||
3 | Sam Grant -[b] | ||
4 | TBC | ||
5 | Lameck Juma | ||
6 | James Barran -[c] | ||
7 | James Meadows | ||
8 | Louis Robinson | ||
9 | Neil Thorman | ||
10 | Liam Scott | ||
11 | Jordan Williams | ||
12 | Michael Greenhalgh | ||
13 | Daniel Hindmarsh -[d] | ||
14 | Richard Wilkinson | ||
15 | Isaac Ah-Kuoi-Atmore | ||
16 | Matt Ross | ||
17 | Lamont Bryan | ||
18 | Xavier Rice | ||
19 | Omari Caro | ||
20 | Mike Bishay |
- Notes
Squad statistics
- Appearances and Points include (Betfred League 1 and Coral Challenge Cup) as of 26 February 2019.
Squad No | Player | Position | Previous Club | Apps | Tries | Goals | DG | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Iliess Macani | Centre | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2 | Gideon Boafa-[a] | Wing | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
3 | Sam Grant -[b] | Centre | ![]() | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
4 | Jake Melling | Centre | Unknown | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
5 | Omari Caro | Wing | ![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
6 | James Barran -[c] | Stand off | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
7 | Mike Bishay | Scrum half | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
8 | Louis Robinson | Prop | ![]() | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
9 | Neil Thorman | Hooker | Coogee Dolphins | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
10 | Judd Greenhalgh | Front Row | Unknown | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
11 | Jordan Williams | Second row | ![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
12 | Michael Greenhalgh | Second row | Unknown | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
13 | Daniel Hindmarsh -[d] | Loose forward | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
14 | Richard Wilkinson | Full back | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
15 | Xavier Rice | Hooker | Northcote Tigers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 | Liam Scott | Prop | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
17 | Isaac Ah-Kuoi-Atmore | Second row | Unknown | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
19 | Matt Ross | Prop | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
20 | Lamont Bryan | Prop | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- Notes
Tale of the Tape
Most Points in a Game
- 12, Round 2: Sam Grant vs. West Wales Raiders (3 tries)
Most tries in a Game
- 3, Round 2: Sam Grant vs. West Wales Raiders
Highest score in a winning game
- 28, Round 2: vs. West Wales Raiders
Lowest score in a winning game
- 28, Round 2: vs. West Wales Raiders
Greatest winning margin
- 10, Round 2: vs. West Wales Raiders
Greatest number of games won consecutively
- 1, Round 2 (London Skolars Round 1 fixture vs. North Wales Crusaders was rearranged for 11 May)
Highest score in a losing game
- 12, Round 3: vs. Newcastle Thunder
Lowest score in a losing game
- 12, Round 3: vs. Newcastle Thunder
Greatest losing margin
- 36, Round 3: vs. Newcastle Thunder
Greatest number of games lost consecutively
- 1, Round 3
Transfers
In
Name | Position | Signed from | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Liam Scott[7] | Prop | ![]() | November 2018 |
Clinton Hughes[8] | Hooker | Beerwah Bulldogs | November 2018 |
Iliess Macani[9] | Full back | ![]() | November 2018 |
Malikhi Lloyd-Jones[10] | Centre | ![]() | November 2018 |
Joseph Burchill[11] | Prop | ![]() | November 2018 |
Richard Wilkinson[12] | Full back | ![]() | December 2018 |
Xavier Rice[13] | Hooker | Northcote Tigers | February 2019 |
Out
Name | Position | Club Signed | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Jy-Mel Coleman | Stand off | ![]() | December 2018 |
Ollie Purslow | Second row | ![]() | December 2018 |
References
- ^ "Toronto Wolfpack invest in London Skolars as part of ground-breaking transatlantic deal/". London Skolars. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "Toronto Wolfpack buying rugby league club London Skolars/". The Guardian. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- ^ "Skolars enjoy run-out against Super League champions Wigan/". Ham & High. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ "Skolars push Broncos hard in pre-season friendly/". Ham & High. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ "London Skolars to host Toronto Wolfpack as part of Capital double-header/". London Skolars. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "RFL statement: Keighley Cougars". RFL. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
- ^ "Liam Scott joins London Skolars". London Skolars. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "Clinton Hughes makes London Skolars switch". London Skolars. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "London Skolars secure Iliess Macani's signature for 2019 season". London Skolars. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "Malikhi Lloyd-Jones joins London Skolars". London Skolars. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "Joseph Burchell is a Skolar after signing for 2019 season". London Skolars. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "Richard Wilkinson becomes a Skolar". London Skolars. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "Xavier Rice is a Skolar after signing for 2019". London Skolars. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
External links
- skolarsrl.com