The RFL has hailed the success of London Skolars in reaching the first final in the club’s history – the inaugural Northern Rail Bowl at Halifax on Saturday July 20.
Despite having their final game of the Northern Rail Cup group stages postponed due to adverse weather, the Skolars are already guaranteed to finish top of Group B and will meet the winners of Group A in the Bowl Final, which will be played as part of the historic Northern Rail Finals Day.
The Skolars also remain in contention to contest the main event on Finals Day, the 2013 Northern Rail Cup, and will join all 14 Kingstone Press Championship clubs alongside the winners of Group A in the knock-out stages which begin on the weekend of May 18 and 19.
Their opponents in the Bowl will be either North Wales Crusaders or Oldham as Group A goes down to the last match to determine the league positions and finalist. Oldham won a bruising encounter against a courageous South Wales Scorpions side at the weekend to keep themselves in with a chance of progressing.
“On behalf of the RFL I’d like to congratulate London Skolars on securing their place in the Northern Rail Bowl,” said Rimmer.
“London Skolars continue to work hard and have established a strong identity within their local community, with the Friday Night Lights fixture a particular highlight of the Rugby League calendar. It is a just reward that the club are now in with a chance of securing some silverware – although I am certain they will also be hoping to go ever further in the competition.
“The geographical diversity now reflected in its make-up has seen many new players brought into the competition and yet each team has remained competitive. On that basis the Northern Rail Cup, even before it enters the sudden-death stages, has been tremendously successful. The competition this season has produced some fantastic Rugby League with every team registering points.
“We have already seen some fantastic action in the Northern Rail Cup so far and I feel certain that the action on Finals Day, which will deliver two games of top class Rugby League, will continue to establish this competition’s reputation as one of the most entertaining around.”
Should either London Skolars or the winners of Group A reach the Northern Rail Cup final, the club placed second in their respective group will play in the Northern Rail Bowl final.
Tickets for the 2013 Northern Rail Finals Day at The Shay Stadium, Halifax, on Saturday July 20, cost from just £15 adult and £10 concession and can be purchased directly from London Skolars or by visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk or by calling the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113.
