The 60-6 defeat highlights the standards that Storm need to reach to be competitive in Rugby League's flagship amateur competition.

Storm started brightly enough and for the opening quarter they matched their more experienced opponents, but Sharks gradually took control and Storm were unable to stem the steady flow of tries.

As against Oxford the previous week, Storm's points came late in the game. A kick-on at the sixth tackle went unclaimed by the Sharks' defence and scrum-half Lee Mason-Ellis pounced to score a consolation try which was converted by Rod Love.

Coach Graeme Harker said: "Again our defence let us down. We just didn't move up fast enough, giving West London all the space they needed to work the ball. In attack we were too predictable and played too much one- man rugby!

"On the plus side, the spirit is still there, as was proved by our late try when we down to twelve men. It's only our first season, so we know we must work hard to get up to the level of the likes of West London and Oxford."

The Storm's under 11s finished second in a festival at Kingston. They defeated Ham Warriors 28-12 and St Mary's 28-20 after being 20-8 down at half-time before losing 32-8 to the host club in the final.

While the under 13s defeated Oxford Cavaliers 34-10 and Cambridge Eagles 30-0, but then came unstuck against eventual winners Kingston Warriors 24-16. And the under 15s defeated West London 52-16.

This Saturday, the U13s entertain Oxford Cavaliers in a London Broncos Junior League fixture, while on Sunday the U15s travel to Oxford to play in a six-team festival.

South London Storm are looking for players of all ages. If you are interested, call either Graeme Harker 020 8680 7844 or Dave Bold 020 8650 0691.