London Broncos 78 vs 16 Hunslet
Hunslet wilted in the Kent heat at Ebbsfleet United as the full-time professionalism and stamina of a London Broncos outfit ready for Super League eventually wore down the spirited Parksiders.
Hunslet had caused London’s defence some problems in the corresponding fixture at South Leeds last May, but were dealt an early blow when inspirational half-back Billy Jowitt had to retire injured with a damaged wrist in the early minutes of the game.
London were out of the blocks quickly and scored tries on 5 and 8 minutes through Alex Walker and Will Lovell, both on the last tackle. 10-0
Hunslet couldn’t get possession and on 12 minutes Saliva Havili showed his strength near the line, before 5 minutes later Gairo Voro shot out of the scrum through weak defence to score. 20-0
At a point a minute it looked like a long afternoon for Hunslet. But The Parksiders with the ball looked threatening. Ethan O’Hanlon took the ball in well and Lee Gaskell found a long pass out to the left for Charlie Graham to score. 20-4
Mo Agoro had made a half break on the right, but on the left hand side Charlie Graham picked up a dropped ball and ran 60 yards before being tackled. Gaskell taking control fired a perfect kick to the right corner for Agoro to score. Gaskell converting. 20-10
A possible game changer moment happened on the half hour as again Graham broke up the left, but tried to go on the outside and was tackled into touch with London scrambling back.
On 33 minutes London regained composure when Voro showed his slight and skill by dancing past defenders to score, converting 26-10.
Graham had again looked to intercept, but after 3 sets the Hunslet defence needed a break, and penalties and ‘6 agains’ weren’t helping. On 39 minutes Alex Walker eventually went over and London led at the break 30-10.
Hunslet started the 2nd half well. A penalty after a late tackle on Gaskell set up an attack which ended in Gilmore scoring from a Gaskell kick, but the try was ruled out for offside.
50 minutes in and Hunslet were still just about in the game, until up stepped Gairo Voro, the Papua New Guinean international. With pace and a great step he out moved the Hunslet defence to complete a hat trick. 36-10
Now the tries came regularly as Hunslet tired. Voro and Walker added tries on 55 and 58 from breaks down the middle, Wallis on 63 from a long ball (Agoro unlucky not to intercept), Voro on 66 and 72 showing pace and guile and Tchamambe on 75 after a long ball to the right hand side. 68-10
Although a Gaskell chip was gathered by Myles Harrop to score on 80 minutes (well converted by Gaskell), Hunslet tried to overplay and London added more scores for Luke Smith and Gairo Voro. 78-16 on the hooter.
Voro ended the day with a personal tally of 44 points (7 Tries and 8 Goals – Brandon Webster – Mansfield adding the last conversion).
In the end a team of Full-time professionals with some ready to take NRL contracts in Australia next year was always going to end strongly against a semi-professional team, but Hunslet did throw punches of their own. At 20-10 they had a chance to score and the score was only 30-10 50 minutes in. If they take this attitude into the remaining fixtures Hunslet will find some wins, but another injury (this time to Billy Jowitt) is another headache for Head Coach Kyle Trout.
Lee Gaskell was excellent, Charlie Graham dangerous and Harrison Gilmore gets better with every game.
Hunslet play Oldham next at home on Sunday July 19th 3pm.
LONDON BRONCOS – Walker, Wallis, Webster-Mansfield, Smith, Tchmambe, Voro, O’Beirne, Campbell-Gillard, Glare, Bitungane, Hursey-Hord, Lovell, Havili, Davis, Bienek, Stock, Ramsden, Hartley.
HUNSLET – Watson, Agoro, Ratuvou, Harrop, Graham, Gaskell, Jowitt, Hallas, Doolan, O’Hanlon, Gilmore, Carr, Battye, Butterfield, Larroyer, Walker, Grice, Tydeman.
