A youthful Saints side come up short in the capital

A young, determined and hard working Saints team came away from Trailfinders Sports Club empty handed after a 32-12 defeat to London Broncos.

Two first half tries for from Matty Fleming and Luke Yates either side of an Aaron Smith try and a Kieron Dixon penalty gave London an eight point lead at the break. In the second half Danny Richardson reduced the deficit after great work from Jack Welsby before tries from Alex Walker, Matty Gee and a second try from Fleming gave London a 32-12 victory in the capital.

There were some positives mind as Academy graduate Josh Simm [Heritage no. 1250] followed in the footsteps of his late grandfather Geoff Pimblett [Heritage no. 870] impressed in his 80 minute spell at centre on debut. There were also debut appearances for Callum Hazzard [Heritahe number 1251] and Josh Eaves [1252] who had short second half stints off the bench.

It was London who started the better of the two teams with an early 40/20 giving the home side excellent field position, but as it has all season Saints defence stood firm.

But on the next set the hosts broke down the right flank and Jordan Abdull’s high kick on the last was collected by former Saint Fleming and London were in front. Kieron Dixon added the extras.

The home side weren’t ahead for long though as Saints hit back through Smith. The hooker took an offload from Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and crashed over next to the posts. Richardson adding the two to level the game.

London regained the lead after a powering run from Sadiq Adebiyi caused trouble in the Saints defence. From the play of the ball Jordan Abdull fed Yates who powered his way over. Dixon adding the two.

In the final minute of the first half a high kick from Abdull resulted in a penalty and LMS was sent to the sin bin for dissent. London took the two and went into the break with an eight point lead.

Saints grabbed the first points of the second half after a lovely break from Joseph Paulo released Welsby and he fed Richardson on his inside who touched down under the posts. Richardson added the two to his own try and it was 14-12.

London nearly extended their lead, but were denied after an excellent covering tackle from Morgan Knowles. The Welshmen stopping a clear try.

But the Broncos did extend their lead minutes later mind after a neat kick through from Elliot Kear on the last was pounced on by Walker extending London’s lead back to eight points with Dixon adding the extras.

London were in again through Gee. James Cunningham found Abdull and he fed Gee who scored under the posts. Dixon kicked the extras again.

Welsby so nearly gave Saints a lifeline after James Bentley broke through the line and fed the full back, but his kick over the top was caught by Walker who ran the length of the field, only to be halted by a last-ditch covering tackle from LMS.

On the very next play, the ball went wide to the right and Matty Fozard found Fleming back on the inside who raced through the gap to score. Dixon converted to maintain his 100 percent kicking and gave London a 32-12 victory in the capital.

Match Summary

London Broncos: Walker, Dixon, Fleming, Kear, Williams, Abdull, Fozard, Butler, Cunningham, Krasniqi, Pitts, Adebiyi, Yates.

Interchanges: Richards, Ioane, Gee, Battye.

Tries: Fleming (11,75), Yates (27),Walker (64), Gee (70).

Goals: Dixon (4 from 4).

Penalties: Dixon (1 from 1).

St Helens: Welsby, Swift, Costello, Simm, Grace, Paulo, Richardson, Lees, Smith, LMS, Bentley, Batchelor, Knowles.

Interchanges: Amor, Ashworth, Eaves, Hazzard.

Tries: Smith (22), Richardson (52).

Goals: Richardson (2 from 2).

Referee: T.Grant

HT: 14-6

FT: 32-12

ATT: TBC

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