Broncos show spirit needed to survive
Danny Ward’s biggest problem after London Broncos moved to within one win from safety was finding the superlatives to do justice to their stunning performance.
He need not have bothered. In going to relegation rivals Hull KR and winning in such dramatic fashion, the performance of Ward’s men said everything about the spirit of a team who continue to defy the odds.
Written off as no-hopers at the start of the season, the lowest spenders in Super League will stay up with a final-round victory at Wakefield next week.
“It’s up there with one of the best groups I’ve worked with,” said head coach Ward. “I’d love to play in this team because you can see the camaraderie and will to work hard for each other.”
Captain Jay Pitts scored the winning try with just two minutes remaining – a fitting success for a player who has epitomised the collective desire of Ward’s side.
The result means Hull KR are not yet safe and four teams now lie on 20 points heading into the final round of the season.
The Broncos stormed into a 12-0 lead with converted tries from Matt Gee and Brock Lamb before Rovers, who lost Dean Hadley and Jimmy Keinhorst to injury during the first half, hit back through Will Dagger.
Tries early in the second half through Chris Atkin and Danny Mcguire, who retires at the end of the season, put the hosts ahead for the first time. Could Broncos fashion the response they so desperately needed? They could, and Pitts collected a short pass to burst over the line late on to set up a dramatic final weekend which has left Rovers coach Tony Smith fretful. He said: “I can’t fault the effort of my players, they tried really hard – and we’ll fire up again for next week.”
Wakefield coach Chris Chester says his side will prepare for a “big week” as Trinity face a fight for survival after their 23-16 defeat at Warrington.
Trinity’s brave loss against the Challenge Cup winners means they join Broncos, Hull KR and Huddersfield in trying to avoid the drop into the Championship.
Chester said: “We’ve spoke in the dressing room that we need one last big effort and if we get the game won we will all breathe a lot easier.”
Super League leaders St Helens cruised to a comprehensive 48-6 win over Huddersfield while Salford coach Ian Watson insists his team fears no one after they confirmed their place in the Super League play-offs with a 20-12 victory over Leeds.