AFTER a nightmare Bank Holiday journey which leaves you turning up 20 minutes after the original kick off time, the last thing you want is to face Saints side intent on throwing the ball around.
But that’s exactly what hit the Broncos at Langtree Park on Good Friday.
After a good defensive set the Saints scored with their first possession as the impressive Mike Weldon took a peach of a short ball from Josh Eaves.
The hooker, finally returning after his injury nightmare, well and truly sealed his return as he scored the Saints second after great work from Jake Spedding. The big centre picked up a loose ball on halfway, weaved around his opposite number before passing inside to Eaves who outpaced the cover to the line.
The Broncos dispelled any rumours that they were still on the bus punishing a Saints error with a try on 15 minutes.
This was perhaps the story of the first half as the Saints almost seemed to be more affected by the late start than their opponents. Their play was sluggish and lethargic in places and littered with unforced errors.
Having said all that Ben Morris extended the lead touching down Danny Richardson’s neat grubber.
Then came a piece of pure Saints magic. Cameron Brown, showing no nerves on his debut, jumped out of dummy half and put Spedding away down the left flank. He took it on before feeding it outside to his winger Jordan Gibbons. He was caught from behind but managed to get the ball back inside to Spedding who went the final 30 metres for the try.
Saints managed to bomb two certain tries before the break one for a forward pass from Richardson and then one from a Jordan Olmez knock on over the line grounding Richardson’s grubber.
Consequently it was a rather chastened Saints who resumed after the short break but with the jeering of our friends from across the Lump ringing in their ears they set about playing some sparkling rugby in the second period.
Captain Liam Cooper opened the scoring running hard onto the ball on the last.
Regan Grace got the first of his customary brace finishing in the right corner after Matty Costello had evaded the cover to put him clear.
Weldon scored his second taking Richardson’s short pass and bursting through the line from 30 out.
Costello again was the provider this time for Cameron Brown who neatly stepped inside the cover to score.
Grace finished off a series of offloads for the Saints ninth try before Elliott Jenkins showed the kind of determination to firstly be in the right place and then secondly to want to score as he backed up Morris’ break and then shrugged off the unwanted attentions of the Broncos full back as he dove over in front of the massed West Stand.
Brown finished off an impressive debut and the scoring jinking his way over after Richardson’s initial break.
Saints weren’t at their best but six debutants in an already young side made this ultimately a very good win. The second half was much better as they cut out the unforced errors which allowed the flair to shine through.
Josh Eaves, Mike Weldon and Captain Cooper did well but the pick of the pack was Matty Lees. In the backs, Brown and Jenkins did well with Danny Richardson calling the shots but there was a good all-round display from centre-cum-winger Jake Spedding who deserved a try from his 80 metre breakaway.
Match Summary:
Saints U19s:
Tries: Mike Weldon (3 & 53), Josh Eaves (10), Ben Morris (17), Jake Spedding (21), Liam Cooper (43), Regan Grace (49 & 67), Cameron Brown (61 & 79), Elliott Jenkins (69).
Goals: Danny Richardson 10.
London Broncos U19s:
Tries: Kam Pierce-Paul (14), Matt Davies (73).
Goals: Rhys Joel.
Half Time: 24-4
Full Time: 64-10
Teams:
Saints:
1. Matty Costello, 2. Regan Grace; 4. Cameron Brown, 3. Jake Spedding, 5. Jordan Gibbons; 7. Elliott Jenkins, 6. Danny Richardson; 8. Levy Nzoungou, 9. Josh Eaves, 10. Matty Lees, 11. Liam Cooper (C), 12. Ben Morris, 13. Mike Weldon.
Subs: 14. Brad Pinder, 16. Chris Follin, 17. Alex Eckley, 18. Jordan Olmez.
London:
1. Callum Whitcombe; 2. Gideon Boafa, 3. Kam Pierce-Paul, 4. Josh Raqio, 5. Fred Dodd; 6. Rhys Joel, 7. James Meadows; 8. Callum Bustin, 9. Matt Davies, 10. Lewis Bienik, 11. Danny Hindmarsh, 12. Jordan Williams, 13. Jordan Richardson.
Subs: 14. Matthew Montgomery, 15. Rob Butler, 16. Ato Iaqueratabua, 17. John Sipawa.
