Super League’s Leeds Rhinos assert dominance over the championship London to go top of the middle 8s with a 48-32 away victory. Here’s our verdict…
MATCH DETAILS
Leeds record their first away victory since May with a 48-32 victory over the London Broncos. The Rhinos opened the scoring in after only three minutes through Joel Moon, within the next 10 minutes Moon crossed again twice to register his first hat trick since the Rhinos 2017 Challenge Cup success over Barrow Raiders. With the three quick tries Leeds had a comfortable 16-0 lead.
However the Broncos did strike back through winger Kieran Dixon. Dixon dived over in the corner for a 24th try of the season, but the come back was short-lived with Leeds scoring twice before the interval first through Luke Briscoe, and then two minutes later he was involved in setting up second rower, Brett Ferres, who crossed to give the Rhinos a commanding 28-6 lead at half-time.
London gave themselves a slim chance of getting back into the contest after Rhys Williams scored only six minutes after the interval, however this was quickly eradicated for London through Carl Ablett scoring and then a brace from Ashton Goulding sealed the victory and top spot for the Rhinos.
To their credit London did show great spirit by scoring four unanswered tries in the final 16 minutes to give them a respectable 48-32 defeat. One of the tries was scored through the impressive youngster Daniel Hindmarsh who was scoring his first try for London.
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED
Leeds too classy forย Championship opposition
With their second match in the qualifiers it was also their second victory with both coming against lower opposition. This assured any doubt realistically that the Rhinos have too much quality and will be playing Super League rugby next season, however they will be looking to improve their defence in the coming weeks.
London set for a Super League return?
With their development from season to season it looks as if London could return to the Super League within the next few years. With a good mixture of youth and experience the future looks bright for Danny Ward’s men. However this will need to happen sooner otherwise the young talent will be snapped up by Super League sides like previous ( Mike McMeekan to name just one).
Man of the Match – Joel Moon (Leeds Rhinos)
Leeds took a dominant stand after Moon’s first half hat-trick and that to a certain extent affect the final outcome from the start. The centre finished impeccably which allowed his side to take full control in a match which looked potentially difficult on paper.
THE RESULT
London Broncos 32
Tries: Dixon (2), Williams (2), Hindmarsh, Evans, Hellewell
Goals: Sammut (4)
Drop Goals: n/a
Leeds Rhinos 48
Tries: Moon (3), Briscoe, Ferres, Ablett, Golding (2)
Goals: Sutcliffe (8)
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
London Broncos: Walker, Dixon, Hellewell, Kear, Williams, Pewhairangi, Cunningham, Battye, Pelissier, Evans, Pitts, Hindmarsh, Davies
Interchanges: Spencer, Ioane, Harrison, Sammut
Leeds Rhinos: Golding, T Briscoe, Keinhorst, Moon, L Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Myler, Peteru, Dwyer, Singleton, Ferres, Ablett, Jones-Buchannan,
Interchanges: Oledzki, Cuthbertson, Mullally, Ward
Referee: Chris Kendall
