London Broncos were far too strong for Doncaster today in the opening game of the Championship Shield, with Welsh winger Elliot Kear contributing a hat-trick of tries as the Broncos ran out 52-12 winners after leading 24-6 at half-time at The Hive.
Broncos coach Andrew Henderson has made it clear that he wants to win the Shield to atone for his club’s disappointment at not appearing in the Qualifiers, and his team got off to a strong start when winger Ben Hellewell went in for the first try after five minutes, with Wes Naiqama adding the conversion.
But Doncaster replied when Peter Fox scored in the corner, and Dave Scott’s conversion pulled the teams level after nine minutes.
But the Broncos then pulled away with three more first-half tries from Kear, Jason Walton and Naiqama, with Naiqama converting all three.
In the second half there was more of the same, as the Broncos pulled further away with tries by Rhys Williams, Kear and Jonny Walker, with Naiqama converting the second and third for a 40-6 lead after 60 minutes.
Doncaster did reply, however, when Mike Emmett went over on 70 minutes, with Scott converting.
But the Broncos added two tries in the final four minutes through Frenchman William Barthau and Kear touching down for his hat-trick, with Joe Keyes having taken over the goalkicking for both tries from Naiqama.
A full report will feature in Monday’s edition of League Express
