London Broncos 28 - 8 Rochdale Hornets

Date published: 26 March 2017

Despite Rochdale Hornets edging a very tense first half against London Broncos at the Trailfinders Sports Club in Ealing, London turned on the style in the second half to run out comfortable winners.

Hornets were quick out of the traps and came close when a Gary Middlehurst kick on the last tackle ricocheted off the post pad before Alex Walker pulled off a try saving tackle when Hornets were just inches from the line.

Continuing to look dangerous going forward, Hornets opened the scoring after ten minutes. Rob Massam found a gap on the left to fly in. Lewis Palfrey missed a tough kick.

With the game approaching a quarter of an hour played, tackles were becoming meaty and a massive Lewis Galbraith hit on Api Pewhairangi caused a ruckus, before Hornets fed the scrum for a knock on.

The Hornets pressure continued and Jono Smith was denied by a try saving tackle by Adrian Purtell stealing the ball just in front of the line, but he knocked on in the process and Hornets kept London on the hook.

Middlehurst again tangled with the post pad as he knocked on when he went to touch down for a try.

Hornets finally doubled their try count after half an hour when Massam steamed over out wide for his, and Hornets, second try of the game. Palfrey again unable to convert.

London were struggling with Hornets intensity but got a foothold in the game when Miles Greenwood fluffed a high bomb and Pewhairangi scooped it up and dived over to score. Keiran Dixon added the extras.

London turned the screw late in the half and another brawl broke out in the Hornets in goal. A player from each side - Gary Middlehurst and Elliot Kear - were sin binned.

Half time: London Broncos 6 - 8 Rochdale Hornets

The start of the second half saw Hornets on the back foot as London began to play.

Hornets did have an opportunity when Palfrey opted to kick a penalty but his attempt missed.

From thereon in it was all London as they pushed and probed and barged at the Hornets line from every angle.

The first of London's second half tries came via a beautiful pass from William Barthau to find Daniel Harrison and put him in for a simple try. Dixon's kick sailed wide, but London had taken a lead they never relinquished.

London scored again when James Cunningham found Jarrod Sammut and he had a simple task of walking in under the Hornets posts. Sammut converted his own try.

The fists began to fly again following Jo Tiara's high tackle on Kear - Tiara sin binned. The referee was forced to speak to both captains.

London put the game well and truly out of Hornets reach when Purtell collected a kick in goal and touched down. Sammut successful with the conversion.

Minutes left to play and London poured salt in the Hornets wounds when Sammut raced away before offloading to Jay Pitts who, despite immense pressure, got over the line. An easy kick for Sammut to add the two.

Hornets coach Alan Kilshaw will be disappointed with a poor second half performance from Hornets but take nothing away from a good London side, they deserved the victory.

Kilshaw speaking after the game said: "I don't think the score reflected the game."

He complained bitterly about the penalty count and said "we are an easy team to penalise, a little team, Rochdale".

He added: "We defended really well and I am disappointed with the penalty count and the attacking in the second half."

London Broncos: Alex Walker, Rhys Williams, Elliot Kear, Adrian Purtell, Kieran Dixon, Api Pewhairangi, William Barthau, Mark Offerdahl, James Cunningham, Mark Ioane, Daniel Harrison, Jay Pitts, Matt Gee.
Replacements: Jarrod Sammut, Daniel Harrison, Junior Roqica, Ben Evans.

Rochdale Hornets: Miles Greenwood, Chris Riley, Jake Eccleston, Lewis Galbraith, Rob Massam, Lewis Palfrey, Danny Yates, Matty Hadden, Ben Moores, Gavin Bennion, Jono Smith, Josh Crowley, Gary Middlehurst.
Replacements: Ryan Maneely, Jo Tiara, Samir Tahraoui, Jordan Case.

Photos: Brad Journeaux

Hornets coach Alan Kilshaw speaks about the defeat against London Broncos
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