This year’s Friday Night Lights has gone international with a host of French sides crossing the channel to take on the best London has to offer.
The first game that will take place at the New River Stadium (White Hart Lane, Wood Green) begins at 1pm, this see’s the Invicta Panthers under 15’s in action. The Invicta Panthers appearance at this great occasion is a reward for their fine form this year. The Panthers won the league leaders shield and remained unbeaten throughout, on average scoring around 40 points and conceding 8 per game. They then followed this success up by not only taking the Challenge Cup with a convincing 20-point win against the Bromley Bengals but also by winning the Grand finale, again by 20 points, this time against the Elmbridge Eagles at the London Bronco’s Ealing ground.
There is a similar theme in the next game at 2.30pm, this time it is the London Skolars under 17 side that take the field. They too have had a very successful season, with their records almost identical to that of the Invicta under 15’s. The first Skolars under 17 triumph came at the start of the year as they swept all before them to win the season opening nines tournament. They then continued this great form into the league season, winning all twelve fixtures, scoring 430 points and conceding 56. Unfortunately, they were defeated in their grand final but can hold their heads high, a number of players have since been selected to represent North London in origin, while several others have been offered scholarships at professional Rugby Union academies.
Both of these strong London sides will be taking on representative age groups from the French region of Languedoc-Roussillon. This area is a traditional French powerhouse of Rugby and particularly Rugby League, towns represented by this region are the likes of Limoux, Carcassonne, Montpellier and Perpignan. They will certainly prove a stern test.
Following these games at 4.30 we have the annual London Masters fixture against the Political Animals.
Finally, at 7pm we have the main event, the first team take on undefeated league leaders Toulouse Olympique. This year’s fixture also has the added spice of being a super 8’s game. Our first team have thus far struggled in the top eights losing all three games, but have proved throughout the season they have the capability to pull off a result against the traditionally bigger teams, especially at home with scalps against Keighley and Barrow.
To add to the party atmosphere that is Friday Night Lights and the Challenge cup weekend, the club will also have its brand new bar open as well as hosting a beer & ale festival.
Tickets for this great day out are available for £10 adults and £5 concession when bought online, or alternatively £12 and £6 when bought on the gate. https://www.skolarsrl.com/tickets/skolars-tickets/
