Wakefield Trinity claimed a 19-10 win against London Broncos at the Mobile Rocket Stadium on Friday night to secure their Super League status whilst relegating the Broncos in the process. Here’s how the action unfolded.
MATCH DETAILS
Two tries from Ryan Hampshire helped secure Wakefield’s place in Super League next season which in turn relegated London Broncos from the competition.
Danny Brough edged Wakefield into the lead with a penalty, after Jacob Miller’s run off the ball was impeded by Brock Lamb.
Kieran Dixon then missed a simple penalty attempt to bring the scores level in an understandably cagey opening 20 minutes at the Mobile Rocket Stadium.
Trinity extended their lead when Hampshire exchanged passes with Morgan Escare, before dotting down for the game’s opening try, to send the home side into an eight-point lead at the break.
Hampshire scored his second try of the game early in the second half when he collected Miller’s exquisite floated pass before finishing in the corner.
Reece Lyne put the game beyond doubt with he scored Trinity’s third try of the night when he went over after an excellent grubber kick through from Brough.
A drop goal from Brough rounded off an excellent individual display from the 38-year-old before Alex Walker and Lamb went over for London in the final 10 minutes.
The win secures the crucial two points that Wakefield needed to guarantee their place in Super League next season, running out deserved winners on the night.
After a valiant effort, defeat for London consigns the Broncos to relegation from Super League and return to the Championship after just a single season back in the top-flight.
Trinity scored the first points of the match on 12 minutes, when Brough slotted over a penalty from right in front of the sticks after Lamb was penalised for impeding Miller.
London should have brought the scores level minutes later when Dixon lined up a simple penalty attempt after Danny Kirmond was penalised for holding on, only to inadvertently send his effort wide of the sticks.
Dixon then failed to touch down in the corner when he was picked out by Lamb’s measured kick with the bounce of the ball just out of the winger’s reach.
Next it was Trinity’s turn to come close when Ben Jones-Bishop knocked on from Brough’s kick, in an aerial battle with Rhys Williams, with his effort correctly chalked off by the video referee.
Wakefield scored the game’s first try on 24 minutes when Hampshire knocked Miller’s dangerous kick down into the hands of Escare who returned the ball out wide for Hampshire to dot down.
London thought they had reduced the deficit just before half time when Ryan Morgan powered over from Walker’s pass only for the play to be rightly called back for a forward pass, handing Wakefield an eight-point advantage at the interval.
The hosts went further ahead on 45 minutes when a superb floated pass out wide from Miller was taken in and finished by Hampshire who went over for his second try of the match, with Brough kicking an excellent conversion from the touchline.
The Broncos spurned another chance to get on the scoreboard on 52 minutes, when Morgan’s clever kick through was knocked on in-goal by Dixon.
Trinity punished London by scoring their third try of the night just two minutes later when Brough’s delicate grubber kick was touched down by Lyne.
A drop-goal from Brough with 12 minutes left to play put the seal on Wakefield’s victory before Walker finally scored London’s first try of the match with nine minutes left to play.
Hampshire was sent to the sin bin in the dying minutes for a professional foul before London scored a late consolation try through Lamb, showing defiance right up until the final hooter.
FOUR POINTERS
Wakefield Safe
Whilst Wakefield will be disappointed to have found themselves needing to win their final league fixture to secure their Super League status, the Dreadnoughts can now finally look ahead to another season of top-flight rugby league next term.
Consistency the key
The Dreadnoughts showed against London that they are capable of winning high pressure matches and with more consistency should be looking to challenge for a play-off place next season. Injuries may have limited the club’s progress in 2019 but with a fully fit squad should pose plenty of problems next term.
London Relegated
Despite their defeat against Wakefield confirming their relegation from Super League, London should be extremely proud of their efforts in 2019. Written off before a ball had been kicked, the capital club proved many doubters wrong over the course of the season.
What a season!
Super League has been a joy to watch in 2019 with the four-way relegation battle in the final round of fixtures testament to the quality of teams in the competition this year. With the play-offs and Grand Final still to come we can expect plenty of drama in the coming weeks.
THE RESULT
Wakefield Trinity 19
Tries: Hampshire 2, Lyne
Goals: Brough 3
Drop Goals:ย Brough
London Broncos 10
Tries: Walker, Lamb
Goals: Dixon
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Wakefield Trinity: Escare, Jones-Bishop, Lyne, Atkins, Hampshire, Miller, Brough, Kopczak, Randell, Tangata, Kirmond, Tanginoa, Crowther
Interchanges:ย Wood, Green, King, Arundel
London Broncos: Walker, Dixon, Morgan, Kear, Williams, Abdull, Lamb, Battye, Cunningham, Butler, Gee, Pitts, Yates
Interchanges:ย Fozard, Mason, Hindmarsh, Lovell
