SW LONDON CHARGERS 46

EASTERN RHINOS 6

London Premier League Grand Final

COLCHESTER-based Eastern Rhinos were left disappointed after South West London Chargers prevailed, in the London Premier League Grand Final.

The Chargers made history by becoming the first club to be crowned champions in three consecutive seasons.

With only a solitary point separating the two clubs at the end of a tough season, it was no surprise that there was little to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges.

But the Chargers duly dominated the second half, to run out comfortable winners.

The Rhinos forwards failed to dominate the game in the same way as they had throughout the league season.

And that allowed the Chargers to dictate the match, with their clever off loads and slick passing.

Rhinos coach Peter LeMarquand said: “The Chargers showed exactly why they have been divisional champions for the last three years especially in the second half and look likely to make national champions again.

“The lads were not disappointed with losing but felt on the day that they didn’t play to their full potential and show on the bigger stage the quality of rugby they have produced to match the South West London Chargers point for point throughout the year.”

The Chargers opened the scoring after seven minutes when some good handling enabled centre Joe Briggs to score out wide.

But the Rhinos took the lead midway through the first half when Peter LeMarquand’s well-judged pass sent Fawaz Olabooye on an unstoppable run to the line.

LeMarquand kicked the conversion to make it 6-4 but the Chargers found a defensive weakness in the Rhinos’ left side defence.

And three tries in eight minutes by the Chargers just before half-time turned the game on its head.

Rhinos trailed 20-6 at the interval and the Chargers produced some outstanding rugby to score regularly throughout the second half without reply, to secure victory.