Match Report: Doncaster RLFC

London Broncos 52 - 20 Doncaster RLFC

London Broncos advanced to the Semi Finals of the 1895 Cup with a 10-try victory over Doncaster.

London made a fast start after receiving the kick-off. An early Doncaster penalty at the ruck extended possession, and Jimmy Meadows broke through before passing to Luke Smith, who scored the opening try.

The Broncos defended strongly during the opening stages, including a one-on-one tackle from Will Lovell close to the try line and a grounded grubber by Morea Morea to prevent a Doncaster score. Doncaster eventually equalised after building pressure through penalties, with Watson Boas finishing a move near the posts.

Errors and penalties influenced much of the first half. After a Doncaster knock-on deep in their own territory, London moved the ball quickly across the field for Neil Tchamambe to score in the corner. Doncaster later lost possession again in attack, allowing London to counter through Sadiq Adebiyi, whose break created space for Morea to finish the move.

A potential try for Gairo Voro was disallowed for a double movement, but Ben Hursey-Hord later crossed beside the posts after forcing his way through multiple defenders.

London ended the first half with another try when Voro stepped through two tacklers to score in the corner. The Broncos then opened the second half with Tchamambe’s second try after a pass released him down the edge, extending the lead to 32–10.

Doncaster responded strongly during the middle period of the second half. A goal-line drop-out and repeat pressure resulted in James Glover scoring in the corner in the 49th minute. Three minutes later, Isaac Misky forced his way over the line from close range, before Mitieli Vulikijapani finished in the opposite corner after a long pass from Aston. Aston’s conversion attempt struck the post and bounced away.

London regained control through a late run of four tries. Adebiyi scored after taking a short pass from Connor O’Beirne, before Smith completed his second try following passing combinations involving O’Beirne and Meadows.

The Broncos added further scores when Morea broke clear and passed to Finley Glare, who then found Voro to complete a long-range move, and finally when Tchamambe completed his hat-trick in the right corner from a Brandon Webster-Mansfield pass.

The result secured London’s place in the semi final of the 1895 Cup alongside Midlands, Widnes and Rochdale.

London Broncos: 1 Morea Morea, 5 Liam Tindall, 2 Elliot Wallis, 20 Brandon Webster-Mansfield, 26 Neil Tchamambe, 23 Gairo Voro, 18 Jimmy Meadows, 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9 Sam Davis, 28 Bobby Hartley, 11 Luke Smith, 21 Will Lovell, 15 Sadiq Adebiyi.

Replacements: 6 Connor O’Beirne, 14 Finley Glare, 19 Ben Hursey-Hord, 24 Lewis Bienek. 18th man: 22 Alex Walker.

Tries: Smith (1, 65), Tchamambe (19, 45, 71), Morea (25), Hursey-Hord (32), Voro (39, 67), Adebibyi (51)

Goals: Meadows 6/10

Drop goals: None

Sin-bins: None

Doncaster RL: 1 Tom Holmes, 26 Mitieli Vulikijapani, 11 Sam Smeaton, 23 James Glover, 18 Edene Gebbie, 24 Watson Boas, 6 Cory Aston, 27 Titus Gwaze, 19 Connor Jones , 25 Gadwin Springer, 14 Jacob Jones, 22 Luis Johnson, 17 Muizz Mustapha. 

Replacements:15 Jordan Baldwinson, 16 Pauli Pauli, 20 Isaac Misky, 21 Tyla Hepi. 18th man: 3 Brad Hey.

Tries: Boas (15), Glover (49), Misky (52), Vulikijapani (55)

Goals: Aston 2/4

DG: None

Sin-bin: None

Referee: Ryan Cox

HT: 28–6

Penalty awarded count: 3–8

Match report written by David Ballheimer