Super League: Leeds Rhinos 16-18 London Broncos
- Published
Betfred Super League |
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Leeds Rhinos (0) 16 |
Tries: Myler, Merrin, Briscoe Goal: Lolohea 2 |
London Broncos (8) 18 |
Tries: Pitts, Fozard, Lovell Goals: Dixon 3 |
London Broncos scored two late tries to stun Leeds and consign the Rhinos to a fourth straight defeat in Super League.
The Broncos were 8-0 ahead at half-time courtesy of Kieran Dixon's goal and Jay Pitts' converted try.
But the hosts turned the game around through Richie Myler and Trent Merrin before Tom Briscoe crossed to extend their advantage to 16-8.
However, Matty Fozard's score gave the Londoners hope, and Will Lovell tied the scores before Dixon's goal won it.
The visitors defended well to stop Leeds from scoring in the first 20 minutes and notched the first half's only try after the Rhinos defence made a mess of Jordan Abdull's cross-field kick and Rhys Williams flicked the ball back into play for Pitts to touch down.
The hosts were transformed after the break, as Myler showed determination to force his way over from 10 metres out and Merrin went over after good work from Briscoe and Mikolaj Oledzki.
Briscoe then crossed on his 300th career appearance but a missed conversion by Tuimoala Lolohea proved crucial as the Broncos pulled off a remarkable comeback.
First Fozard touched down his own kick with five minutes left and then Lovell kept a cool head on a chaotic last-tackle play with two minutes to go to secure London's first win at Headingley since 2011.
Promoted Broncos registered their third win to move up a place to eighth, while Leeds remain 11th after suffering their sixth defeat of the campaign.
Leeds Rhinos head coach Dave Furner:
"That last six minutes was very tough.
"We did a really good job at half-time of refocusing the group and fought really well. We had the game in control but that last six minutes hurt the group.
"It's not good enough. We've had opportunities in these first seven games and not taking them sort of knocks the confidence out of the team.
"We're going to have to pick ourselves up. It's a long season and there's going to be no white flag."
London Broncos head coach Danny Ward told BBC Radio London:
"We had to dig deep for that as we were shot to bits in the second half and I didn't think we played well.
"Leeds have some quality players and dominated for big periods, but you should never doubt how resilient our bunch are.
"We have had some tough away games and there were probably questions being asked of us, but to come to Headingley and win gives the boys confidence.
"We are happy with where we are but there are lots of areas to fix up and work on. We can't get carried away."
Leeds: Walker, Briscoe, Newman, Hurrell, Handley, Lolohea, Myler, Peteru, Parcell, Oledzki, Merrin, Ferres, Sutcliffe.
Replacements: Cuthbertson, Jones-Buchanan, Donaldson, Holroyd.
London Broncos: Walker, Dixon, Morgan, Kear, Williams, Abdull, Cunningham, Battye, Pelissier, Butler, Pitts, Yates, Davies.
Replacements: Lovell, Fozard, Richards, Mason.
Referee: Chris Kendall.
- Published8 March 2019
- Published8 March 2019
- Published21 May 2019