Less than a year after being formed, South West London Chargers are gearing up for their Challenge Cup debut.
The Chargers face Welsh side Torfaen Tigers on Saturday, and chairman Cameron Paul has described the match as a 'celebration of their 2013 season'. Paul, the former South London Storm secretary, set-up the Chargers alongside then West London Sharks coach Mark Barnes.
With the two previous clubs merged, in their first season the Chargers had 70 players playing in their two teams. The first team ended 2013 having won the Harry Jepson Trophy, the London Cup and the London Premier Grand Final, whilst the second team won the minor premiership in the London Entry League.
These achievements earnt the club an invite to the 2014 Challenge Cup, and Paul says they are honoured. "Our club is a mix of ex-pat Northerners, Aussie's, and Kiwi's, but no matter where they played their junior rugby league they are all aware of the Challenge Cup and the history that surrounds it.
"For them to be able to play in this prestigious competition is something they will never forget. "From a personal point of view, knowing that I have been involved in the forming and running of a club that is playing in the Challenge Cup makes all the hard work worth it.
"I remember as a little boy watching the Challenge Cup final with my Dad in the middle of the night back in Australia, I never thought years later I would be standing on the side line as the chairman of a club that is playing in it."
Kick-off on Saturday is 2pm at Chiswick RFC (Dukes Meadow, Dan Mason Drive, Chiswick, London, W4 2SH), and entrance is free.
