LONDON BRONCOS 66 SALFORD 6
DAVID BALLHEIMER, Cherry Red Records Stadium, Sunday

LEADERS London were never likely to lose to Salford, and it was not likely to be close.

Both came to pass with the capital side scoring 66 points, including an Epel Kapinias try treble – after the visitors had taken a second-minute lead.

The match got off to its surprising start after Elliot Wallis knocked on just over halfway and Salford took the possession all the way to the try-line, Cole Appleby stepping out of a tackle before stretching over. Toby Hughes converted from in front of the posts.

Salford’s first handling error – by ex-Bronco Brad Dwyer – led to London’s first try, Wallis scoring in the left corner on a last-play run. James Meadows failed to improve the score.

An early kick from Hughes, trying for a 20–40, did not come off as Alex Walker gathered the ball and launched a counter-attack. It ended with another last-tackle push, Sam Davis, Meadows and Walker setting up Liam Tindall to score in the right corner. Meadows made no mistake with this conversion.

After 23 minutes, Will Lovell forced an error with a strong tackle on the Salford 20 and from the scrum, Meadows sent Neil Tchamambe down the left for a simple try, which the halfback improved.

In the 30th minute, Joe Hartley denied Tindall a second try with an interception on Salford’s ten-metre line. He tried to go all the way to the other end but was brought down by a combination of Jeremiah Simbiken and Kapinias 20 metres out. London’s defence stood up to the challenge and the last-tackle kick was too long.

Having defended the Salford break, the Broncos, aided by a penalty, increased their lead with fine solo run from Connor O’Beirne, who dummied his way to beside the posts, Meadows converting.

On the stroke of half-time, Lewis Bienek powered his way over and Meadows’ conversion made it 28-6.

London started the second half with a strong defensive set and Hughes was tackled as he kicked on the last play, sending the ball out on the full. With a short field, the Broncos took full toll and O’Beirne stretched his way over line for his second try, improved by Meadows.

Salford’s one concerted possession came around the 50-minute mark, but London defended six straight sets solidly.

Kapinias grabbed a quickfire double of tries, first running in support of Walker, who had broken through the line, then crashing over from close range. Meadows goaled both.

Walker needed no assistance for his 64th-minute try, gliding through the defence, and again the extras were added.

As Salford tired, a break by Simbiken was finished off by Kapinias for his hat-trick – and Meadows tagged on the two.

Try number eleven was similar to the third, as from the base of a scrum, the ball was sent by Meadows to Tchamambe on the left wing and he strolled over in the corner. After nine straight successful conversions, Meadows failed with this attempt.

In the last minute, Luke Smith, who had been on the field for only a few minutes. sprinted clear for a score which O’Beirne failed to improve.

GAMESTAR: Props rarely score hat-tricks of tries, but Epel Kapinias was too strong and powerful for Salford.

GAMEBREAKER: Neil Tchamambe’s first try, London’s third, always seemed likely to be sufficient for success.

MATCHFACTS

BRONCOS
22 Alex Walker
5 Liam Tindall
20 Brandon Webster-Mansfield
2 Elliot Wallis
26 Neil Tchamambe
6 Connor O’Beirne
18 James Meadows
8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9 Sam Davis
16 Epel Kapinias
21 Will Lovell
25 Jeremiah Simbiken
13 Siliva Havili
Subs (all used)
11 Luke Smith
17 Marcus Stock
19 Ben Hursey-Hord
24 Lewis Bienek

Tries: Wallis (10), Tindall (18), Tchamambe (24, 76), O’Beirne (34, 42), Bienek (40), Kapinias (56, 61, 73), Walker (64), Smith (80)
Goals: Meadows 9/11, O’Beirne 0/1

SALFORD
32 Josh Cartwright
5 Jack Holmes
29 Harvey Braddish
33 George O’Loughlin
20 Joe Hartley
27 Matty Ross
7 Toby Hughes
24 Cole Appleby
9 Brad Dwyer
8 Sam Bowring
12 Ollie Garmston
38 Jonny Vaughan
10 Owen Haldenby
Subs (all used)
21 Jack Gatcliffe
36 Danny Lynch
37 Jack Bibby
42 Shaun Costello

Tries: Appleby (2)
Goals: Hughes 1/1

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 4-6, 10-6, 16-6, 22-6, 28-6; 34-6, 40-6, 46-6, 52-6, 58-6, 62-6, 66-6

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Broncos: Connor O’Beirne; Salford: Toby Hughes

Penalty count: 7-7
Half-time: 28-6
Referee: Kevin Moore