LEIGH LEOPARDS 6 LONDON BRONCOS 36
DAVE PARKINSON, The Brick Community Stadium, Sunday

LONDON blasted their way into the Women’s Super League for the first time with a comfortable win over Leigh.

Having previously missed out to the Leopards and Featherstone Rovers in recent years, they secured promotion with eight tries, four of which went the way of boom centre Hermoine Titcombe.

The Broncos dominated the first half, building a 0-12 advantage before Leigh hit back through Lucy Johnson. In particular, London’s Kathryn Salter, Emily Hughes and Caitlyn Keefe were outstanding down the middle before a second-half downpour slowed both sides down.

London set the pace early on with Tamsin Barber and Titcombe stopped close to the line while Emily Bell was brought down by some desperate defence.

By contrast, Leigh struggled with ball in hand and when they coughed up possession in the ninth minute, the Broncos pounced, with Ffion Lewis and Barber combining to send Titcombe over as they ruthlessly exposed a lack of numbers in defence.

Salter couldn’t convert, and missed from the tee again four minutes later when Jade Walker paved the way for Nicole Kennedy to cross into the left corner.

London’s excellent attack continued, and they soon secured a third try when Kennedy carved her way through for a second time after 17 minutes. Lewis took over the kicking duties, but could not find the target.

Midway through the half, Leigh finally worked themselves into the contest with some smart play down the right before Abi Gordon switched play infield, where Lucy Johnson was able to twist over after a penalty.

Charlotte Melvin goaled to close the gap to six points before the Broncos pulled away again late in the first half.

On the half-hour, Barber charged through a gap, with Lewis kicking the conversion.

She was on target again as the half entered its closing stages, icing a superb try from Becky Smart. It came following some clever movement right involving Lewis, Barber and Titcombe, sending the Broncos in at half-time with a 24-6 lead.

The rain came in the second half, forcing both sides to contend with slippery conditions.

Libby Wall and Eleanor Dainty, alongside retiring Mairead Quinn, had their moments and the Leopards have plenty to build on in the Championship, with Grace Brindle and Charlotte Meredith heading a crop of youngsters pushing through, but they were no match for the Broncos, who swiftly resumed their normal service.

Lewis put Ticombe over for her second try after 47 minutes, with champagne hands moving the ball brilliantly under pressure for Titcombe to complete her hat-trick five minutes later.

And it was fitting just before the final hooter when more intelligent forward play set the position for Titcombe to claim her fourth and kickstart the celebrations.
Leigh and their young side will now rebuild in the Championship.

GAMESTAR: Hermoine Titcombe was a real point of difference in the backline and deserves the nod, but controlled play from the halfbacks, a good pack performance and outstanding defence won the day.

GAMEBREAKER: Becky Smart’s try on the stroke of half-time put London in a comfortable position.

MATCHFACTS

LEOPARDS
2 Toryn Blackwood
17 Macy McDermott
28 Hollie Bawden
29 Caitlin Padget
26 Steph Gray
10 Mairead Quinn
5 Becky Greenfield
11 Emily Baggaley
14 Abi Gordon
16 Lucy Johnson
19 Libby Wall
12 Charlotte Melvin
8 Eleanor Dainty
Subs (all used)
21 Olivia Hill
30 Andrea O’Leary
31 Charlotte Meredith
32 Grace Brindle

Tries: Johnson (21)
Goals: Melvin 1/1

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

Tries: Titcombe (9, 47, 52, 79), Kennedy (13, 17), Barber (30), Smart (39)
Goals: Salter 0/2, Lewis 2/6

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 0-8, 0-12, 6-12, 6-18, 6-24; 6-28, 6-32, 6-36.

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Women of the Match
Leopards: Lucy Johnson; Broncos: Hermoine Titcombe

Penalty count: 6-2
Half-time: 6-24
Referee: Josh Pemberton