MATCH REPORT: Warrington Wolves 42-0 London Broncos
MATCH REPORT: Warrington Wolves 42-0 London Broncos
London Broncos began their Challenge Cup campaign with an away trip to fellow Super League side the Warrington Wolves who happened to be the same opponents as the previous week - so it was familiar opposition for both.
Broncos took the cup competition as an opportunity to rest a couple of players and introduce some others into first team rugby. Jensen Monk made the matchday squad for the first time this season, meanwhile Jack Hughes made his debut as did Joe Stocks after impressing with the reserves.
It was a nightmare start for the visitors as they conceded from the opening set. A high kick into the Broncos in goal area was not dealt with by Kershaw who appeared to lose track of the ball in the sky. It dropped to the floor and Josh Thewlis nicked in to open the scoring. Stefan Ratchford was on kicking duties again and after an almost perfect display with the boot last week, he picked up where he left off with a kick from the far right-hand touch line which sailed through the posts.
What followed was a solid period from the Broncos with nine completed sets and it was nearly rewarded with a try from Gideon Boafo. Alex Walker found some space around 20 metres out and offloaded to Boafo who looked like he would score but he was stopped a metre out from the line.
And then came a couple of other chances for the Broncos without capitalising on the opportunities - something which has perhaps been punished so far this season. Leon Hayes ducked and dodged a couple of tackles and looked dangerous before being dragged down by Oli Leyland. From the resulting set Miloudi intercepted a pass out wide and looked to break but he had neither the speed or the support. In the 14th minute Broncos went close again and it was the Walker/Boafo combination once more. This time the winger couldn’t take in the pass and knocked on.
These opportunities not being taken were then punished as Jordy Crowther found a good line and powered over 5 metres out and right under the posts leaving Ratchford with a straightforward conversion.
Walker had looked dangerous with the ball in hand in the opening twenty and was at the centre of most of the Broncos’ attacks. He attempted the grubber with Bassett trying to get on the end but Dufty swept up around the back for a goal line drop out.
What had started when leaving London at 9am was what appeared to be a nice spring day but by 25 minutes into the game it was bitterly cold and rain was teeming down, making it far from ideal conditions for anyone!
Rodrick Tai was making his Warrington debut and he scored after proving just too powerful for Kershaw to stop on his own. It was a clinical spell from the home side who had weathered a storm (quite literally) from the Broncos but then were able to take their chances when they were presented. (16-0)
Warrington extended the lead further just after the half hour mark as Toby King got on the end of a grubber ahead of Boafo and Walker who were desperately scrambling to intercept. Ratchford uncharacteristically missed the kick although the wind may have played a factor!
In the 35th minute came the first Broncos debut of the evening as Jack Hughes replaced Rhys Kennedy. Hughes joined the club in the off-season following a trial last year and this appearance completed his transition from rugby union after a spell playing for Bedford.
Just before the hooter for the interval came Warrington extended their lead further as Matty Ashton scored his second of the evening. Half-time and the hosts led 24-0.
Into the second half and Broncos started in the ascendency and Hughes tried to power his way through a sea of bodies 10 metres out but was stopped short. A few minutes later Thewlis found space in the middle with a trademark run and with no Bronco able to catch him he raced clear to score.
In the 52 minute Matty Ashton completed his hat-trick as he acrobatically dived and touched down with one hand despite the efforts of Bassett to drag him into touch. Ratchford then missed a touch kick from the touchline.
Moments later came another proud moment for London Broncos and the academy as Joe Stocks entered the field for Sam Davis. Stocks, a product of the club's academy, becomes the 703rd player to represent the club.
Broncos then should have got on the scoresheet as Meadows launched a high kick right under the posts and with Walker seemingly timing the run to perfection and getting on the end of it, there was more frustration as the ball was spilled and went over the dead ball line.
There were more changes shortly after the hour mark as Jensen Monk made his first appearance of the season as he came on for Marcus Stock who was making his 150th appearance of his career.
Lee Kershaw was the next to go close for the Broncos. It had been an uncharacteristically quiet performance from the winger with ball in hand and when presented with the choice to go for the try or the kick on the last tackle around 5 metres out he perhaps opted for the wrong decision and went for the try but ran into a couple of Warrington defenders.
In the 68th minute Jarred Bassett left the field of play for a HIA being replaced by Stock.
Heading into the final 5 minutes there was time for just one more Warrington score and the second half replacement Matty Nicholson got his name on the scoresheet before Josh Thewlis, who had taken over kicking duties, missed the conversion. Final score Warrington 42-0.
WARRINGTON WOLVES: Matty Dufty, Josh Thewlis, Toby King, Rodrick Tai, Matty Ashton, Stefan Ratchford, Leon Hayes, James Harrison, Danny Walker, Paul Vaughan, Adam Holroyd, Joe Philbin, Jordy Crowther. INTERCHANGES: Matty Nicholson, Zane Musgrove, Joe Bullock, Sam Powell. 18th - Connor Wrench
LONDON BRONCOS: Alex Walker, Gideon Baofo, Jarred Bassett, Hakim Miloudi, Lee Kershaw, Oli Leyland, James Meadows, Rhys Kennedy, Sam Davis, Jordan Williams, Robbie Storey, Dean Parata. INTERCHANGES: Rob Butler, Jensen Monk, Jack Hughes, Joe Stocks. 18th - Iliess Macani
