It was an historic day at Storm Park on Saturday as London Griffins took to the field for their first ever competitive fixture.

Dauntingly their opponents in this Away London Amateur Rugby League opener were last seasons champions South London Storm who were unbeaten at home since 2005.

A long pre season had been leading up to this day and although injuries had left the side down to the last 13 players, a confident Griffins entered the fray.

The visitors took the lead after 4 minutes when full back Mark Price sliced through the opposition defence.

Two quick Storm tries put the home team 12-4 up but the confidence the Griffins had gained from the early exchanges would later prove decisive.

On 12 minutes second rower Adam Hill narrowed the score with a touch down converted by Chris Heading only for Storm to Inch ahead 16-10.

Arguably the turning point of the game came when hat trick hero Liam Bayly scored his first two tries within a 6 minute spell to leave the half time score Storm 16 Griffins 22.

Playing with no substitutes in unseasonably warm weather many favoured Storm to come home with the win in the second half and within the first two minutes an equalising try was ominous for the Griffins.

However that was the last time the home side would trouble the score board as the Griffins superbly marshalled by Alan Hill rose to the challenge.

Superb defence lead by Rob Douglas and Chris Heading kept Storm under pressure and it wasn't long before Damian Thomas was able to dash half the length of the pitch to put Griffins 26-22 up with a great intercept try.

3 Minutes later Thomas was over again and Chris Headings conversion put Griffins 32-22 up with 12 minutes left.

More superb defence left storm struggling to break out of their half and with the pace of Owen Bayly, Mark Price and Liam Bayly, The visitors continued to press.

Five minutes from full time Liam Bayly completed his hat tick to leave the score South London Storm 22 London Griffins 38.

The final whistle lead to mass celebrations in the Griffins ranks as they completed their first ever win in their debut competitive fixture.


Line up

1 Mark Price ( 1 try)
2 Owen Bayly
3 Liam Bayly (3 tries)
4 Damien Thomas (2 tries)
5 Alex Holling
6 Chris Heading (5 goals)
7 Jason Dunn
8 Rob Douglas
9 Alan Hill
10 Giovanni Cinque
11 Maurice Harley-Preller
12 Aaron Shaman
13 Adam Hill (1 try)

London Griffins are next in action when they visit Bedford Tigers on May 19th. For more info visit www.londongriffins.co.uk

enjoyable game played in a great spirit and you guys will go well this year with the attitude and talent you've got.. hope i'm around for the re match :)

cheers Rich. Really enjoyed it, even though i couldn't stop you scoring!

i was determined not to have to run around naked at the end of the year.. which i am sure you will agree is a good thing :)

and i think its the only chance (or i hope it is anyway) that i will get to score from dummy half this year!

Excellent result for the Griffins, keep up the good work B)

yeah well done you Griffins