Super League: London Broncos 21-14 St Helens

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Tommy Lee

London Broncos came back from 10-0 down to beat St Helens at The Stoop.

Two tries in quick succession from Anthony Laffranchi and Adam Swift, who was hurt in the process and carried off, put Saints in front before Chris Bailey touched down for London.

Michael Robertson's try put Broncos ahead after the break and Tommy Lee got their decisive third 10 minutes later.

Paul Wellens finished off an 80-metre break from Mark Percival to pull a try back for Saints with 13 minutes left.

Witt kicked a penalty and a drop goal late on to seal the win for the home side, the first time they have beaten St Helens at home for 11 years.

Despite the hosts making the early running, a knock-on near their own line saw Laffranchi power home for Saints, smarting from last week's Challenge Cup exit, before minutes later a Nathan Ashe kick let Swift extend the lead.

But Broncos bounced back swiftly when Bailey was put in by skipper Craig Gower and had a try disallowed before the break when Luke Dorn was adjudged to have knocked on when going over.

Just after the restart Robertson's converted try gave the hosts a deserved lead, and they rode on their momentum to extend the advantage when Lee crossed after a Dan Sarginson interception.

And despite Wellens' try for Saints, Broncos held on for their first home win of the season.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

London Broncos coach Tony Rea:

"It is a very important win for us. We had to make sure we came away with the two points.

"In this game you take it week-by-week, getting two points this week and then the next, and then suddenly the whole direction of the team changes.

"I thought our control of the game was key today. We did not make an error in the last half-hour and that allowed us to defend well and see the game out."

St Helens coach Nathan Brown:

"We created enough chances to win the game, but our decision making in key areas was not what we wanted it to be.

"We competed hard and there was nothing wrong with our energy levels. "We had a lot of players playing out of position and at the moment we are feeling the pain.

"But there will be the long-term benefits to come as these young players are getting the experience that they need.

"We have to make sure we are turning these close losses into close wins and take it from there."

SATURDAY'S LINE-UPS

London Broncos: Robertson; O'Callaghan, Mendeika, Sarginson, Dixon; Witt, Gower; Kaufusi, Lee, Krasniqi, Lovell, Bailey, Cook.

Replacements: Bryant, Fisher, Dorn, Dollapi.

St Helens: Makinson; Swift, Turner, Jones, Percival; Ashe, Hohaia; Puletua, Howarth, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Soliola, Laffranchi, Wellens.

Replacements: Walmsley, Clough, Thompson, Charnock.

Attendance: 2,839.

Referee: Tim Roby (RFL).

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