The Broncos have left south London, but as Kevin Impey discovered, rugby league has been given a boost by the emergence of a new club

TALK about rugby and most Londoners will probably think of Jonah Lomu, Will Carling or the Six Nations.

But in recent years, the 13-man code of rugby league has started to gain a foothold in this area, far away from its northern roots.

Though still more prevalent in the north, rugby league does have some history in this part of the country with the London Broncos, the south's only professional team, having played at The Valley, in Charlton, until last autumn.

The Broncos have now moved on to a new home at Brentford, but have maintained the tradition by forming the first amateur rugby league club in the district.

The team is Greenwich ARLFC and is based at the Old Brockleians ground, in Eltham Palace Road, Eltham.

Greenwich will play a series of friendly games this year against other amateur clubs in the London area, but will apply to join the nationwide Total RL Summer Conference next season.

This league was only formed four years ago, but already has about 50 clubs from around London and other parts of the country, including Crawley, Coventry, Plymouth and Teesside.

Committee member Alan Bacon said he was surprised at how well the preparations were going for Greenwich's new club.

"It's a big job to start and a lot of people have put in a lot of work. But it is fantastic to think that in less than a month Greenwich RLFC will be up, running and playing games.

"Last October we played against the reserve side of Summer Conference team South London Storm at their ground in Streatham and won narrowly.

"Everyone is keen to start playing home games. Our players come from all areas of south-east London. including Lewisham, Plumstead, Erith, Bexley and Bromley.

"Though most are fans of the Broncos, and the game of rugby league in general, the club has attracted much interest from local rugby union players, who want to try out the new game, and also from people wanting to be healthier and do something a little different.

"Union regulars are available to play for a rugby league club because the league season is in the summer, while union is played in the winter.

"But league gives more to union players than just allowing them to keep fit in their off-season, rather than in the gym.

"Recent high-profile professional stars like Jason Robinson, Henry Paul and Iestyn Harris, who have successfully moved from league to union, show how playing league can improve ball-handling and tackling skills."

Bacon added: "Devotees of rugby league prefer the open-running style, which puts less significance on set pieces like scrums and lineouts, and tactical kicking.

"Instead, league puts a premium on running with the ball and tackling. Fans believe this leads to a faster and more attacking style of rugby with a real emphasis on scoring tries."

Greenwich was the brainchild of Broncos development officer Graeme Thompson, who brought a group of interested fans together towards the end of last year.

Thompson was important in guiding the club through its first months, but has now left other members to run the club. But the Broncos are keen this new team should not be seen as a feeder club, as it is truly independent.

Greenwich is now run by a 12-member committee, which includes a former St Helens player and a fully qualified rugby league coach.

Thompson said: "I'm sure this club will establish itself in the south-east London area.

"I have seen this many times before people come because they want to try the game out or just to keep fit, but they soon get hooked.

"That is just what happened to me. I came along one Saturday out of interest and that was it."

The club will be holding a training session next at 7.30pm and has its first friendly game scheduled for early March. Training sessions will be every Monday.

Anyone is invited to come along, regardless of age or experience, whether you would like to play, support or help run this fledgling club.

Greenwich ARLFC is ambitious to form several teams at various age groups and would be particularly happy to hear from any local schools which might be willing to allow its pupils to try rugby league.

If you are interested, then call Jason Henley on 0208 3165275 or 07798 654017, or just turn up for Monday's training night from 7pm at the Old Brockelieans ground in Eltham Palace Road.