KEVIN OVER MOON WITH JOEL TREBLE
CHARGING OVER: Golding scores a try for Leeds
JOEL MOON’S quick-fire hat-trick set up a priceless win for Leeds to leave coach Kevin Sinfield smiling.
The Aussie ace got off to a flier with three tries as Rhinos raced into a 16-0 lead in as many minutes.
They were 48-10 ahead after an hour, before the Broncos gave them a scare with 22 unanswered points.
It was Leeds’ second win in the Qualifiers and three more from their final five games should keep them in the top flight.
Sinfield said: “I’m really pleased with the first half, I thought we did a professional job on them.
“The way we played at times after the break was a bit disappointing but give credit to London, they had a real go and it was always going to be a tricky fixture.
“Overall I’m pleased because we came for the two points and we got them. The minutes we play well for are getting bigger and bigger, which is pleasing.”
Kieran Dixon pulled a try back for Broncos after Moon’s early burst, but Luke Briscoe and Brett Ferres crossed to make it 28-6 at the break.
Rhys Williams gave Broncos hope at the start of the second half, but Carl Ablett powered over and Ashton Golding touched down twice as Leeds charged 38 points clear.
Broncos looked dead and buried, but they staged a storming late rally with Dan Hindmarsh, Ben Evans, Williams and Ben Hellewell tearing Rhinos’ defence to shreds.
Their coach Danny Ward said: “You can’t start slowly against a team like Leeds. A lot of damage was done in the first-half, but we had a crack in the second.
‘‘That aspect was really pleasing and we can take some positives from it. We showed a bit of grit to not cave in.
“We’ve played two Super League teams so far and beaten one – and I’d have taken that.” BRAYDEN WILLIAME is fit to play in Saturday’s Challenge Cup final against Warrington.
The Catalans centre caused a scare when he went off injured in the 35-6 Super 8s defeat by Wigan.
The club feared he was concussed which would have put his Wembley spot in serious doubt.
But yesterday Williame revealed: “I got a bit of whiplash when I hit the ground. I knew it wasn’t too bad but they took me off as a precaution.
“I wanted to go back on but they talked me out of it to make sure I am ready for next weekend.”
Forward Antoni Maria is out of the final after picking up a hamstring injury against Wigan but Lewis Tierney is expected to be fit.
Full-back Tony Gigot was rested after an ankle problem flared up and coach Steve McNamara said: “We’ve been in this morning and there are bumps and bruises. Nothing too serious, apart from Antoni.
“Without doubt it was the right thing to withdraw Tony because the last thing we wanted was for him to only last a short period of time if he played.”