Aussie boys on form for London Broncos first test

LONDON BRONCOS were back with a bang, if not a win, as they went down 24-34 against last season’s Grand Finalists St Helens at The Stoop on Saturday. A much improved Broncos fought back from an early St Helens try to lead 18-16 at half time but despite a second half try from Broncos debutant, Australian Michael Witt, it was St Helens who secured their first two points of the season.

As fate would have it London Broncos first match in the 2012 Stobart Super League would be against the team they played in their last fixture as Harlequins RL.

Head coach Rob Powell showed his intent as he gave debuts to six of his nine close season signings including new captain, Australia’s Craig Gower.

The London Broncos support, braving the freezing conditions, were silenced early as Jonny Lomax scored for St Helens after just four minutes. While some fans may have been fearing the worst, this was a new look Broncos side and it was two of their new signings, Australian pair Michael Witt and Michael Robertson who combined to get Broncos a foothold in the game. After some good pressure Witt arrowed a kick over to the right flank which was taken nicely by Robertson who stepped inside his man to open up his Broncos account. Witt converted to tie the scores.

St Helens regained the lead after 19 minutes when Andrew Dixon found another gap in the Broncos defence and jinked past another Australian player in Luke Dorn to score. Foster converted and then hit a penalty to give the Saints a 6-14 lead.

Olsi Kransniqi was introduced midway into the half and took little time to make his mark on the game. After three sets of tackles near the St Helens line the Albanian born prop smashed his way over the line.

Conditions were affecting both teams and a penalty to Saints was converted by Foster to put a further two points on the board.

Former Crusaders man Witt was on top form with his kicking game and it was his chip and charge that was fumbled by St Helens which allowed Australian compatriot Chris Bailey to go over with two minutes left of the half. Witt duly converted to leave London Broncos 18-16 up at half time.

St Helens came flying out after the break and thought they had made the perfect start when new signing Lance Hohaia (from New Zealand) slid over only for the referee to disallow the try for obstruction.

But that only delayed the inevitable as three minutes Foster crashed over the line before converting to restore the Saints lead.

Going into the final quarter it was anyone’s game but a try from the visitors turned the contest their way. Lee Gaskell’s grubber kick was intended for himself but was deflected into the path of Francis Meli who had been inconsistent up to that point but managed to touch down. Foster’s conversion put St Helens 10 points ahead but the Broncos hit back.

Craig Gower was giving a quality performance in his first match as London Broncos captain and when his cross field kick was fumbled by Foster, Witt seized on the loose ball to score a try which he also converted to make the scores 24-28.

However St Helens piled the pressure on in the final 10 minutes and a strong Broncos defence was eventually breached. Foster made it five out of five with the conversions which was enough to give his side a 34-24 victory.

“There were clearly a lot of positives out there, as a coach you’re meant to look at things objectively and not talk about winning or losing games but I do think it was a bit of a shame really because I thought the game was there for the winning,” said London Broncos Head Coach Rob Powell.

St Helens’ Australian born coach Royce Simmons was impressed by the new look Broncos and thought that the conditions suited their play. “They’ve recruited very well; they’ve got two good hookers and a good pack of forwards. The conditions suited them. Their ball completion in the first half was sensational and they played really well, they’re kicking was also sensational. They will be very hard to beat.” – Supplied by Broncos media office

London Broncos next face the Warrington Wolves away on Sunday 12 February