MANCHESTER SWINTON LIONESSES 10 LONDON BRONCOS 28
IAN RIGG, Ince Rose Bridge, Sunday

LONDON BRONCOS put in a six-try performance to send Manchester Swinton Lionesses to their first defeat in all competitions and book their place in the promotion/relegation final against Leigh.

The Broncos, with a strong wind behind their backs, started well and took the lead in the fourth minute after pressure from a penalty, with Jade Mullen scoring on the left, although Kathryn Salter couldn’t convert.

The Lionesses tried to fight back, but a pass to Sydney Alderman-Smith sailed into touch.

London responded strongly and were causing the home defence lots of problems with their quick play.

They forced a goal-line drop-out and the eventual pressure led to Sian McLaughlin scoring on the left and Salter converting, then more good play enabled Emily Bell to go in wide out on 25 minutes for 14-0.

Grace Arrowsmith put in a strong run for Manchester Swinton, but good tackling stopped her 20 metres out, and there was another chance just before the break, but a kick from Maddie Higson deflected away from the attack.

London started well in the second half but knocked on in a good position near the posts, and Manchester Swinton did likewise on their first attack.

London went further ahead on 49 minutes, when Becky Smart scored, and four minutes later, Nicole Kennedy crossed on the left.

That was quickly followed by Polly Roberts going in near the posts and Salter adding the two, and it was 28-0.

Manchester Swinton were not giving up, and in a good move, Alderman-Smith scored in the right corner and Eve Ashcroft converted well. Another try arrived when Tamika Bull crossed on the left.

Bull had a chance, Abbie Singleton was penalised for a double movement and Arrowsmith went close, but London held out.

GAMESTAR: London’s Nicole Kennedy was a constant threat to the home defence.

GAMEBREAKER: The three Broncos tries between the 49th and 57th minutes.

MATCHFACTS

LIONESSES
17 Leila D’Symonds
22 Sydney Alderman-Smith
3 Kerrie Evans
4 Grace Arrowsmith
2 Chloe Newbigging
6 Tamika Bull
7 Maddie Higson
21 Eleanor Atherton
9 Abbie Singleton
29 Yasmin Parton-Sotomayor
11 Sammi Simpson
12 Amber Harmon
15 Emma Welsford
Subs (all used)
1 Eve Ashcroft
14 Morgan Pearson
8 Skye Jackson
13 Georgia Briggs

Tries: Alderman-Smith (60), Bull (63)
Goals: Ashcroft 1/2

BRONCOS
2 Jade Mullen
1 Becky Smart
7 Hermione Titcombe
4 Nicole Kennedy
5 Emily Bell
6 Jade Walker
3 Ffion Lewis
8 Emily Hughes
9 Polly Roberts
10 Caitlin Keefe
11 Sian McLaughlin
12 Tamsin Barber
13 Kathryn Salter
Subs (all used)
14 Iona McCusker
15 Rebecca Kemball
16 Katie Wallis
17 Danyelle Shobanjo

Tries: Mullen (4), McLaughlin (13), Bell (25), Smart (49), Kennedy (53), Roberts (57)
Goals: Salter 2/6

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 0-10, 0-14; 0-18, 0-22, 0-28, 6-28, 10-28

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Women of the Match
Lionesses: Emma Welsford; Broncos: Nicole Kennedy

Penalty count: 7-5
Half-time: 0-14
Referee: Tyler Topping-Higson