17/06/2022
RUGBY GROUND REVIEW ๐ - LONDON SKOLARS
Vs Oldham, 27th May 2022
One date in your ground-hopping calendar ought to be the London Skolars Friday Night game. It's always the night before the Challenge Cup final, and the club make a special effort to make it an enjoyable warm-up. Below is more detail on our 2022 experience:
Value ๐ฐ- 7.5/10
For ยฃ35, you got entry to the Skolars game AND both cup finals at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium the next day. Three games for this price is already brilliant, but to include cup finals at a world class stadium is even better.
As for the Skolars ground, most the beers come from cans, and are just under a 5ver. However, we did find a decent deal of a bottle of Prosecco for ยฃ20. I came straight from work in my office attire, so I may have looked fairly pretentious sipping my prosecco, but a decent deal nonetheless.
Rugby and Atmosphere ๐- 7/10
The Skolars are usually one of the weaker teams in the league, but we felt like their good luck charm! Last year they came away with a draw, but the omens didn't look positive this year, with the side losing all 7 fixtures so far this season. Yet they pulled off an impressive performance, with their athletic runners thrashing Oldham 38-16. So Skolars are undefeated from the two games we've attended, perhaps they'll make Super League if we go every game...
As for the atmosphere, this event seems to draw a decent crowd for the London side. London's Rugby League community is a really tight group. Being quite a niche sport in the capital, you often see familiar faces at different League events. The club always make an effort to distinguish the fixture from the others. This year, they had the Rugby League World Cups paraded in the car park for photos! It just how League do make really cool moments accessible for everyone. The semi-final at the Emirates for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup had tickets from ยฃ30, for example.
Stadium/Location ๐ - 5/10
When I reviewed this ground last year, one fan slated the fact that pigeon excrement was littered on various seats in the stands. They'll be pleased to know- it's all gone! And in a much cleaner state.
Theres one stand that tends to focus all the fans into one place, which is a smart way to generate the best atmosphere. Sadly, there is a running track surrounding the pitch, so fans aren't right next to the action. One really cool touch is the Skolars mural chalked onto the bricks of the bar.
Location isn't amazing, with the nearest station being Wood Green, a 15 minute walk.
Overall 7/10
Can't speak for the average Skolars game, but the Friday Night Lights game is worthwhile.
