RUGBY LEAGUE

SOUTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

South West London Chargers 50

Hammersmith Hills Hoists 4

WHILE their mates were running flat out in Pamplona the remaining Hoists were flat out for the count in Chiswick.

A west London side filled with talented exiled Aussies and Kiwis are often here for no more than a season, and as a result found the allure of dodging bulls at the famous festival a bigger pull than halting Chargers.

The result was something of a foregone conclusion, although the weakened team did their best in the broiling sun. But it was a calculated gamble because with three to play, HHH are still a point ahead of Chargers and ready to claim their fourth title on the spin.

Absent captain Nathan ‘Spider’ Mann admitted he and the bull boys were still on course for the silverware.

“It won’t affect our title chances at all,” he said. “Obviously the result wasn’t ideal but we fielded a very under-strength team, but we’re still on top of the ladder and also have a game in hand over the teams in third and fourth, so if we play all right in our last games we should be set for a home semi-final.

Lynton ‘Red’ Allen and Shannon ‘French’ Coleman were two first-teamers left to suffer the South West mauling, but the only Hoists try of the day in the second half was scored by Junior Harris.

Russell ‘Rusty’ Kelleway was named players’ player.