Match Report: Bradford Bulls

London Broncos 08 - 26 Bradford Bulls

London Broncos were eliminated from the Challenge Cup following a loss against the Bradford Bulls.

London went into the half-time break with a lead, but were affected by a series of injuries that reduced their interchange options and left them playing for an extended period with 12 men.

By the 25th minute, Jack Croft, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Louis Bienek had left the field, followed at half time by Dean Hawkins. With no players remaining on the interchange bench, London were unable to replace Alex Max when he was assisted off early in the second half. Several players were required to play out of their usual positions as a result.

London created the first opportunity of the match, forcing an error from Bradford on their opening set and earning a repeat set, though the Bulls’ defence prevented a score. Hawkins’ kick on the last tackle drifted out on the full.

Bradford capitalised on their first attacking opportunity in London territory, with former Broncos players Andy Ackers and Joe Keyes combining to release Caleb Aekins, who passed to Jayden Okunbor to score in the corner. Rowan Milnes was unsuccessful with the conversion.

In the 15th minute, London regained possession after a Bradford error, but a pass from Morea Morea to Liam Tindall went to ground. Bradford countered, with Aekins making a long break before Hawkins completed a try-saving tackle on Ethan Ryan.

A third Bradford penalty allowed London to take possession on halfway. Following sustained pressure, Luke Smith’s offload enabled Finley Glare to break through the defensive line and score. Hawkins’ conversion attempt struck the upright.

Bradford missed an opportunity to regain the lead shortly afterwards when Ackers’ pass was knocked on close to the line. Both sides then made handling errors in attacking positions late in the half. In the closing minutes, Morea evaded a tackle and passed to Tindall, who scored in the corner. Morea took over kicking duties but was unable to convert.

Bradford threatened early in the second half, advancing 80 metres from the kick-off before a knock-on was forced near the line. London responded with a strong set of their own, but Epel Kapinias knocked on close to scoring.

Joe Mellor then made a break that was continued by Aekins, before Ackers finished the movement under the posts. Milnes converted to give Bradford the lead. The Bulls had another opportunity soon after, but London defended and Okunbor kicked dead in goal.

Following Max’s departure, London’s defensive structure was disrupted. In the 61st minute, a kick from Waqa Blake was collected by Ethan Ryan, who scored behind the posts. Milnes converted.

Bradford extended their lead eight minutes from time, moving the ball the length of the field before Mellor’s pass sent Dan Russell over in the corner. Milnes added the conversion.

A final try further extended the margin when Ed Chamberlain was tackled close to the London line and Blake scored from dummy half. Milnes’ conversion attempt struck the upright.

London Broncos: 1 Morea Morea, 5 Liam Tindall, 4 Alex Max, 20 Brandon Webster-Mansfield, 26 Neil Tchamambe, 7 Dean Hawkins, 6 Connor O’Beirne, 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 14 Finley Glare, 16 Epel Kapinias, 11 Luke Smith, 12 Jack Croft, 15 Sadiq Adebiyi. Replacements: 10 Emarly Bitungane, 18 Jimmy Meadows, 23 Gairo Voro, 24 Lewis Bienek. 18th man: 17 Marcus Stock.

Tries: Glare 23, Tindall 39

Goals: Hawkins 0/1, Morea 0/1

Sin-bin: None 

Bradford Bulls: 

1 Caleb Aekins, 2 Jayden Okunbor, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Waqa Blake, 5 Ethan Ryan, 18 Joe Keyes, 7 Rowan Milnes, 8 Ryan Sutton, 9 Andy Ackers, 10, Loghan Lewis, 11 Dan Russell, 12 Zac Fulton, 13 Joe Mellor. Replacements: 14 Mitch Souter, 15 Eribe Doro, 16 Ebon Scurr, 17 Ed Chamberlain. 18th man: 25 Eliot Peposhi.

Tries: Okunbor 6, Ackers 47, Milnes 61, Russell 73, Blake 78

Goals: Milnes 3/5

Sin-bin: None

Referee: Marcus Griffiths

HT: 8–4

Penalty awarded count: 8–2

Attendance: 3,477