Broncos beat Hull to end 10-game winless run

Betfred Super League

London Broncos (16) 34

Tries: Walker, Meadows, Storey, Bassett, Kershaw, Leyland Goals: Leyland (5)

Hull FC (12) 18

Tries: Ese'ese, Trueman, Aydin Goals: Charles (3)

Super League's bottom side London Broncos beat Hull FC 34-18 to end a 10-game winless run and achieve their first win of the season at Plough Lane.

The visitors took the lead when Herman Ese'ese raced clear to score following a cagey start, but Broncos reacted brilliantly as Alex Walker dived down moments later.

Broncos went in front for the first time just before the hooter as Robbie Storey crept over in the corner to leave them with a 16-12 advantage.

The second half was marred by a head injury to the hosts captain Will Lovell, but his side - helped by a yellow card for Hull's Jordan Lane - scored three more times to wrap up the victory.

London Broncos are bottom of the Super League on points difference, one place below Hull FC

Both teams were successful in holding up each other's play early on, with Hull losing possession when well-placed following a penalty.

It took over 20 minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Ese'ese ran from deep, charged through the middle and went over for his first try of the season.

Broncos knew they had little to lose and hit back almost immediately, with Hakim Miloudi slipping through the Hull pack in a move finished off by Walker.

But the visitors made amends quickly as a clever dummy from Jake Trueman saw him drop his shoulder and crash down to make it 10-6.

Hull continued to ask questions of the Broncos defence, but ultimately showed their frailties - just as they did in their 28-24 win over the same opponents in March.

The Black and White back line stood off Broncos' James Meadows, giving him enough time to dart through, and the hosts were level again at 12-12 once Oli Leyland had kicked between the posts.

His side then took the lead with seconds to go before half-time when Meadows floated the ball wide to Walker, who twisted around the defence and allowed Storey to squeeze in and score.

Yellow card

Play was stopped just after the break because of the injury to Broncos' Lovell, who was taken off after a heavy collision with Hull's replacement prop Franklin Pele.

The away side then fought for a turnover and when Yusuf Aydin broke free from a ruck, he was a little fortunate that four points were awarded as he let go of the ball while falling inside the try area.

Hull went a player down after Lane received a yellow card for a late tackle and that proved costly as Jarred Bassett and Lee Kershaw put themselves on the scoresheet to help grow their side's lead to 28-18.

Fatigue played a part as Leyland deservedly crowned the victory late on, driving through almost unchallenged to make it 32-18, allowing relief to spread among players and supporters.

Post-match reaction

London Broncos boss Mike Eccles said:

“To get that done was huge. It’s a massive win for the club.

“That was a real London Broncos performance today.

"I thought we moved the ball and we did what we had to do.

"We did the first part of the game plan and in the second half I had every confidence we could bring it home.”

Hull FC interim coach Simon Grix told BBC Radio Humberside:

"They deserved it, so I can't even say that we were unfortunate.

"They showed what we were lacking. It was quite scrappy.

"There were errors from both sides, but they had some endeavour, some fight.

"We just weren't tough enough. We were poor. We showed why we are down there."

London Broncos: Walker; Kershaw, Storey, Bassett, Miloudi; Leyland, Meadows, Adebiyi, Tison, Kennedy, Lovell, Natoli, Stock.

Interchanges: Makin, Bienek, Jones, Butler.

Hull FC: Walker; Briscoe, Scott, Sutcliffe, Martin; Trueman, Charles; Ese'ese, Houghton, Aydin, Lane, Sao, Cator.

Interchanges: Chan, Jebson, Pele, Smith.

Sin-bin: Lane (53).

Referee: Chris Kendall.