London Griffins
Encyclopedia
London Griffins RLFC is a rugby league
club based in west London
, England. The club play semi and full contact rugby league
against opponents in London and throughout the UK. The club is open to all ages and standards and has attracted many who have never even played the sport before.
The Griffins name came from the London Broncos former home ground at Griffin Park
. The ground took its name from the Griffin in the logo of Fuller's Brewery
, which at one point owned the land on which the stadium was built. The nearby Griffin pub was a popular meeting place for fans before and after London Broncos home games.
2005 was the Griffins first season and saw the club finding its feet under coach Paul Curley. All games were semi contact and played away as the club did not yet have a home ground.
On 28 June 2005, barely three months after its formation, the club played its first game against Kingston Warriors. The team battled well in a 34-12 defeat with Rob Douglas creating history when he dived over for the first ever Griffins try.
The next game saw the club notch its first victory with a 52-19 win at Kent Ravens
on 17 July 2005. Simon Bashorun scored a lung-bursting long range try (which was later voted try of the season) but Chris Heading was Griffins man of the match scoring 3 tries and converting 8 from 9 goal attempts.
On 14 August 2005, the team took a step up in terms of quality of opposition and intensity against a South London Storm side including many first team players. Storm were 44-22 winners in a competitive game. Griffins man of the match was Matt King.
Next up was a trip to St Albans
to face St Albans Centurions
Old Boys on 10 September 2005. This proved to be a very close-fought game. In appalling heavy rain the game was tied at 22-22 with just minutes to go. However, a series of Griffins handling errors gave the Centurions the initiative and they took the lead with just a minute on the clock. A failed short kick off gifted another score to the opposition who took the victory by 32-22. Griffins man of the match was shared this between Jason Dunn, who controlled the game admirably in the centre of the pitch, and Chris Caulfield who defended superbly and looked dangerous in attack.
In its final 13 a side game of its first season, the Griffins went back to South London Storm on 25 September 2005 looking for revenge. The team performed beyond all expectations to win 26-18 against a side including some much more experienced professional players. The Griffins showed great skill and determination while inspired leadership from Bill Drinkwater and Dell Bristow saw the team victorious in an intense battle.
In the final action of the 2005 season London Griffins travelled to Hull
on 23 October 2005 for the Hull IMBRL 7's tournament.
The Griffins got off to a poor start with successive group stage defeats to York and Castleford but recovered well to take the scalp of the Leeds Lost Loiners. The final group game saw a comfortable victory over Sheffield Forgers
which earned a place in the plate competition.
In the plate, Oldham were beaten in the quarter finals and the Hull side Dads Against Drugs were beaten in a nail biting semi final. The final was against Halifax and Griffins were always ahead in close game finally winning by 6 tries to 5.
So a successful first season ended on a high with the club's first silverware as plate winners of the 2005 Hull IMBRL 7's.
The 2006 season opened on 1 May 2006 with the Sheffield IMBRL 7's, a tag competition organised by Sheffield Forgers
.
The group stages saw the Griffins drawn with St Thomas, Halifax B, Hull B and Sheffield A.
St Thomas were beaten 3 tries to 1 and Sheffield A by 7 tries to 1 in a game that featured a hat-trick from Craig Johnson. The first big test came against Hull FC Irregulars and the London side romped home by 5 tries to 1 including another hat-trick this time from King. The group stage ended with a 6-4 win against Halifax B where Matt King once again crossed for three tries.
The semi final was a tense and epic encounter with Halifax A with the Griffins victorious by 7 tries to 5. Craig Johnson matched Matt King by scoring a second hat-trick of the day. It was defence that had been the key with Chris Heading leading the way.
Sheffield B were to be the final opponents. After a tight first half the Griffins pulled away to score a 7 tries to 4 victory with Maurice Harley (2), Chris Heading, Steve Farrar, Jason Dunn and Rob Douglas all registering tries.
A great performance from all the team to crown the Griffins as Sheffield IMBRL 2006 7's champions.
The 13-a-side season opened with a semi contact game against Sheffield Forgers
on 21 May 2006. The game was played at the New River Stadium as a curtain raiser to the National League Two
clash between London Skolars
and Sheffield Eagles
. Griffins led 22-12 at half time and with 15 minutes remaining had extended this lead to 38-18. Three quick tries in a late fightback from the Forgers put the home side under pressure but the Griffins were able to hang on during a nervy finish to claim a 38-32 victory. Griffins man of the match was shared by Dell Bristow and Dan Stapleton
On 1 July 2006, a significant development for the club saw the Griffins playing their first full contact match against Wigan Web Warriors. The game was also the first played at the Griffins' new home ground of London Grasshoppers. On the day, Wigan's experience told in very hot conditions and they were victors by 38-14.
Encouraged by the full contact experience the club applied to join the London Amateur Rugby League
for the 2007 season. A new coaching team of Adam Hill (head coach) and Chris Heading (conditioner) was put in place to prepare the team for this transition.
Back on the field, the rivalry started in 2005 with South London Storm continued with a further match on 13 August 2006. In their biggest win to date, the Griffins outclassed a select Storm side to win 52-8. The whole team put in a great performance and debutants Leon Hook (2), Mark Price and Jamie Robinson all scored tries. Joint man of the match were the new coaching team of Chris Heading and Adam Hill.
South division. The Griffins were approached by the RFL to take over Broadstairs' fixtures after they withdrew from the Conference. http://www.rugbyleagueconference.co.uk/news/story.php?news_id=193
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
club based in west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England. The club play semi and full contact rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
against opponents in London and throughout the UK. The club is open to all ages and standards and has attracted many who have never even played the sport before.
Foundation
London Griffins were formed in March 2005 as the supporters team of London Broncos and are now the Harlequins Rugby League supporters team. The club was formed as a social team to play against other such supporters teams.The Griffins name came from the London Broncos former home ground at Griffin Park
Griffin Park
Griffin Park is a football ground situated in the London Borough of Hounslow, west London. It has been the home ground of League One side Brentford since it was built in 1904. It is known for being the only English league football ground to have a pub on each corner, and is situated in a...
. The ground took its name from the Griffin in the logo of Fuller's Brewery
Fuller, Smith and Turner
Fuller's Brewery is a regional brewery founded in 1845 at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, West London.It has an estate of over three hundred public houses.-History:...
, which at one point owned the land on which the stadium was built. The nearby Griffin pub was a popular meeting place for fans before and after London Broncos home games.
Season 2005
On 28 June 2005, barely three months after its formation, the club played its first game against Kingston Warriors. The team battled well in a 34-12 defeat with Rob Douglas creating history when he dived over for the first ever Griffins try.
The next game saw the club notch its first victory with a 52-19 win at Kent Ravens
Kent Ravens
The Kent Ravens are a defunct amateur rugby league club from Eltham in south-east London, founded in 2004. They play at Princes Park.The club has won 10 titles in the two seasons since its creation on June 12, 2004, including the women’s London league runners up, the under-11s overall London...
on 17 July 2005. Simon Bashorun scored a lung-bursting long range try (which was later voted try of the season) but Chris Heading was Griffins man of the match scoring 3 tries and converting 8 from 9 goal attempts.
On 14 August 2005, the team took a step up in terms of quality of opposition and intensity against a South London Storm side including many first team players. Storm were 44-22 winners in a competitive game. Griffins man of the match was Matt King.
Next up was a trip to St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
to face St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier...
Old Boys on 10 September 2005. This proved to be a very close-fought game. In appalling heavy rain the game was tied at 22-22 with just minutes to go. However, a series of Griffins handling errors gave the Centurions the initiative and they took the lead with just a minute on the clock. A failed short kick off gifted another score to the opposition who took the victory by 32-22. Griffins man of the match was shared this between Jason Dunn, who controlled the game admirably in the centre of the pitch, and Chris Caulfield who defended superbly and looked dangerous in attack.
In its final 13 a side game of its first season, the Griffins went back to South London Storm on 25 September 2005 looking for revenge. The team performed beyond all expectations to win 26-18 against a side including some much more experienced professional players. The Griffins showed great skill and determination while inspired leadership from Bill Drinkwater and Dell Bristow saw the team victorious in an intense battle.
2005 Hull IMBRL 7's
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
on 23 October 2005 for the Hull IMBRL 7's tournament.
The Griffins got off to a poor start with successive group stage defeats to York and Castleford but recovered well to take the scalp of the Leeds Lost Loiners. The final group game saw a comfortable victory over Sheffield Forgers
Sheffield Forgers
Sheffield Forgers RLFC was a rugby league club in Sheffield, England. It has an Open Age team that plays in the summer in the Rugby League Conference and the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League and in the winter in the Pennine League It is also developing a junior section.-Foundation:The genesis of the...
which earned a place in the plate competition.
In the plate, Oldham were beaten in the quarter finals and the Hull side Dads Against Drugs were beaten in a nail biting semi final. The final was against Halifax and Griffins were always ahead in close game finally winning by 6 tries to 5.
So a successful first season ended on a high with the club's first silverware as plate winners of the 2005 Hull IMBRL 7's.
2006 Sheffield IMBRL 7's
Sheffield Forgers
Sheffield Forgers RLFC was a rugby league club in Sheffield, England. It has an Open Age team that plays in the summer in the Rugby League Conference and the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League and in the winter in the Pennine League It is also developing a junior section.-Foundation:The genesis of the...
.
The group stages saw the Griffins drawn with St Thomas, Halifax B, Hull B and Sheffield A.
St Thomas were beaten 3 tries to 1 and Sheffield A by 7 tries to 1 in a game that featured a hat-trick from Craig Johnson. The first big test came against Hull FC Irregulars and the London side romped home by 5 tries to 1 including another hat-trick this time from King. The group stage ended with a 6-4 win against Halifax B where Matt King once again crossed for three tries.
The semi final was a tense and epic encounter with Halifax A with the Griffins victorious by 7 tries to 5. Craig Johnson matched Matt King by scoring a second hat-trick of the day. It was defence that had been the key with Chris Heading leading the way.
Sheffield B were to be the final opponents. After a tight first half the Griffins pulled away to score a 7 tries to 4 victory with Maurice Harley (2), Chris Heading, Steve Farrar, Jason Dunn and Rob Douglas all registering tries.
A great performance from all the team to crown the Griffins as Sheffield IMBRL 2006 7's champions.
Season 2006
Sheffield Forgers
Sheffield Forgers RLFC was a rugby league club in Sheffield, England. It has an Open Age team that plays in the summer in the Rugby League Conference and the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League and in the winter in the Pennine League It is also developing a junior section.-Foundation:The genesis of the...
on 21 May 2006. The game was played at the New River Stadium as a curtain raiser to the National League Two
Rugby League National Leagues
The Championship, known as Co-operative Championship due to sponsorship by The Co-operative Group, is a professional rugby league competition based in the United Kingdom. It is currently contested by ten teams from England. It acts as Europe's second-tier competition below the Super League, and has...
clash between London Skolars
London Skolars
London Skolars are a rugby league club based at the New River Stadium, Wood Green, Haringey in North London. They were founded in 1995 and have been semi-professional since 2003, operating in Championship One...
and Sheffield Eagles
Sheffield Eagles
Sheffield Eagles RLFC are an English rugby league club based in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Their home games are played at Bramall Lane after leaving Don Valley Stadium in late 2009....
. Griffins led 22-12 at half time and with 15 minutes remaining had extended this lead to 38-18. Three quick tries in a late fightback from the Forgers put the home side under pressure but the Griffins were able to hang on during a nervy finish to claim a 38-32 victory. Griffins man of the match was shared by Dell Bristow and Dan Stapleton
On 1 July 2006, a significant development for the club saw the Griffins playing their first full contact match against Wigan Web Warriors. The game was also the first played at the Griffins' new home ground of London Grasshoppers. On the day, Wigan's experience told in very hot conditions and they were victors by 38-14.
Encouraged by the full contact experience the club applied to join the London Amateur Rugby League
London League (rugby league)
The London, South and East Merit League is a rugby league competition founded in 1965. It is also known as the London League , London & South East Merit League, London Amateur Rugby League and London Merit League ....
for the 2007 season. A new coaching team of Adam Hill (head coach) and Chris Heading (conditioner) was put in place to prepare the team for this transition.
Back on the field, the rivalry started in 2005 with South London Storm continued with a further match on 13 August 2006. In their biggest win to date, the Griffins outclassed a select Storm side to win 52-8. The whole team put in a great performance and debutants Leon Hook (2), Mark Price and Jamie Robinson all scored tries. Joint man of the match were the new coaching team of Chris Heading and Adam Hill.
Season 2007
After only one London League fixture, a 38-22 win at South London Storm, London Griffins joined Rugby League ConferenceRugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
South division. The Griffins were approached by the RFL to take over Broadstairs' fixtures after they withdrew from the Conference. http://www.rugbyleagueconference.co.uk/news/story.php?news_id=193