Skolars aiming for promotion
London Skolars are hoping to crown their best ever season as a professional club with promotion to the Kingstone Press Championship.
They go in to their first play-off game against Rochdale on Sunday full of confidence, according to experienced back-rower Michael Worrincy.
“We were hoping to get a home fixture in the play-offs and we needed a win at Oxford to make that happen,” said Worrincy. “We didn’t do that. Hopefully we can go up to Rochdale, get off to a good start and win the game. It’s doable, we’ve just got to turn up on the day and do what we’re supposed to.”
Skolars lost 40-16 to Rochdale in the Northern Rail Cup and then 32-24 in the league earlier in the season, both at Spotland. However, it was a different matter when the two met in June at New River Stadium with the Skolars winning their Kingstone Press Championship One fixture 32-16.
Worrincy believes that the experience of playing in the Northern Rail Bowl Final earlier in the year will prove invaluable to the squad in the play offs.
“We went into the Bowl Final with a game plan and we stuck with it for a good 60 minutes,” he said. ”I don’t think the score line reflected our performance in the end but they had a lot of players who had played at the highest level and that experience saw them through to the end.
“But having been there, the boys will now have that experience and be able to say ‘what did I do wrong last time’ or ‘how do I go one step further to try and get the win’. It’s all about experience and now Skolars are giving players that experience of playing in big games and finals.
“This culture of winning more games is still pretty new to us and it takes time for people to work out what’s going on but we’re doing well. There’s a good feeling around the club, everyone is really positive.
“Hopefully things will go well in the play offs. You never know, we could be in the Championship next year. The opportunity is there for the club.”
Tickets for Rochdale Hornets v London Skolars at Spotland on Sunday, September 8 cost : £12 Adults, £8 over 65s/NUS, £5 under 16s. The play-offs are not included as part of a season ticket, however, the club are offering a reduced entry of £10 adults, £6 concessions with under 16s free on the production of Special Voucher B from your season ticket book. All tickets can be purchased at the turnstile on the day of the game.
The 2013 Kingstone Press Championships Finals Day at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday September 29 features a feast of first class Rugby League action with three matches kicking off with the Rugby League Conference Challenge Trophy Final, Leigh Miners v Wigan St Patricks (11.30am), followed by the Championship One Play-off Final (2.00pm) and Championship Grand Final (4.30pm). Tickets cost from just £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and can be purchased by visiting; www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk or by calling the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113.