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

Saints Line up

1 Jack Welsby
18 Adam Swift
21 Matthew Costello
21 Josh Simm
5 Regan Grace
18 Joseph Paulo
7 Danny Richardson
10 Matty Lees
19 Aaron Smith
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
12 James Bentley
12 Joe Batchelor
13 Morgan Knowles
18 Kyle Amor
17 Jack Ashworth
24 Josh Eaves
25 Callum Hazzard

London Broncos Line up

1Alex Walker
2Kieran Dixon
3Matt Fleming
4Elliot Kear
5Rhys Williams
6 Jordan Abdull
7Matty Fozard
8Robert Butler
9 James Cunningham
10Olsi Krasniqi
11Jay Pitts
12Sadiq Adebiyi
13Luke Yates
14Greg Richards
15Mark Ioane
16Matt Gee
17Eddie Battye

Last updated 21 Jul 19 16:48:50

FT: ? BRONCOS 32-12 SAINTS ?⚪

The Saints lose out in the capital after tries from Fleming (2), Yates and Gee secure a big win for the Broncos. Smith and Richardson with the Saints tries.

77'
Goal
Kieran Dixon for London Broncos

Dixon kicks his fifth kick from five to extend the Broncos lead.

? BRONCOS 32-12 SAINTS ?⚪

76'
Try
Matt Fleming for London Broncos

From the resulting play, the ball is swung to the right side for Fozard who feeds Fleming back on his inside to score.

? BRONCOS 30-12 SAINTS ?⚪

74'

Welsby so nearly gives Saints a lifeline after Bentley breaks through the line and feeds the full back, but his kick is caught by Walker who is denied a try at the other end by LMS!

? BRONCOS 26-12 SAINTS ?⚪

72'
Goal
Kieran Dixon for London Broncos

Dixon adds the two.

? BRONCOS 26-12 SAINTS ?⚪

70'
Try
Matt Gee for London Broncos

London score under the sticks, as Matty Gee latches onto another Abdull short ball to power his way over under the sticks.

? BRONCOS 24-12 SAINTS ?⚪

66'

Unfortunately, young Hazzard knocks on at the play the ball and London have the scrum on half way.

? BRONCOS 20-12 SAINTS ?⚪

64'
Goal
Kieran Dixon for London Broncos

Dixon adds the two, but Saints force the drop out from the restart! Come on boys!

? BRONCOS 20-12 SAINTS ?⚪

63'
Try
Alex Walker for London Broncos

But London do, this time have their try after Alex Walker pounces on a kick through from Elliott Kear to touch down.

? BRONCOS 18-12 SAINTS ?⚪

62'

Knowles has just saved a certain Broncos try after bringing down Matty Fozard when the scrum half was clean through!

? BRONCOS 14-12 SAINTS ?⚪

Josh Eaves is now on for his Saints debut at hooker, replacing Aaron Smith.

#saintsandproud

? Young Josh Simm is having a solid game on his Saints debut!

#saintsandproud

53'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson converts his own try and it’s GAME ON in the capital!

? BRONCOS 14-12 SAINTS ?⚪

52'
Try
Danny Richardson for Saints

A lovely break from Paulo releases Welsby who feeds the arriving Richardson on his inside and he strolls under the sticks right in front of the travelling Saints fans! Get in!!!!

? BRONCOS 14-10 SAINTS ?⚪

51'

LMS is back on after his sin bin as the play results in Richardson’s grubber kick being caught by Abdull and the Broncos survive the Saints pressure. Come on boys!

? BRONCOS 14-6 SAINTS ?⚪

49'

A brilliant break from Richardson sees our half back throw three dummies to skip past four London defenders before he wins a penalty after a high tackle from Dixon.

? BRONCOS 14-6 SAINTS ?⚪

Callum Hazzard is on for his Saints debut! He replaces Bentley.

? BRONCOS 14-6 SAINTS ?⚪

44'

Great defence from Costello on Abdull forces the turnover after a tight opening to the second half.

? BRONCOS 14-6 SAINTS ?⚪

41'

We are back underway here in London. Come on boys!

? BRONCOS 14-6 SAINTS ?⚪

40'

HT: ? Broncos 14-6 Saints ?⚪

It’s the Broncos who lead at the break after tries from Fleming and Yates. Smith did respond with a try in between, before Dixon kicked a late goal to extend the hosts lead.

39'
Yellow Card
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook for Saints

LMS is sent to the sin bin after saying too much to referee Tom Grant.

? Broncos 14-6 Saints ?⚪

39'
Goal
Kieran Dixon for London Broncos

Broncos win a penalty in front of the sticks and take the two to extend their lead.

? Broncos 14-6 Saints ?⚪

36'

Richardson is again involved as his high bomb is so nearly clutched out of the air by Costello, but he knocks on in the process. Four minutes until the break.

? Broncos 12-6 Saints ?⚪

34'

A clever grubber kick from Richardson is kicked into touch by Abdull and Saints will come again…

? Broncos 12-6 Saints ?⚪

33'

LMS wins a penalty 10 meters out and we have a chance to level things up before the break!

? Broncos 12-6 Saints ?⚪

29'

We have a chance to respond instantly as Greg Richards knocks on from the restart, but Costello does likewise moments later and London have the ball back. A chance gone for the Saints.

? Broncos 12-6 Saints ?⚪

27'
Goal
Kieran Dixon for London Broncos

Dixon kicks the two from in front of the sticks.

? Broncos 12-6 Saints ?⚪

27'
Try
Luke Yates for London Broncos

Luke Yates powers his way over after the Broncos had won a penalty after Richardson was accused of dragging Williams into touch after the tackle was complete.

? Broncos 10-6 Saints ?⚪

23'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson converts the extras from in front of the sticks and we are all square here in the capital!

? Broncos 6-6 Saints ?⚪

22'
Try
Aaron Smith for Saints

GET IN!! Aaron Smith latches on to a short ball from LMS to power his way over to the right of the sticks! Louie with the fist pump celebration and we are back in it!

? Broncos 6-4 Saints ?⚪

22'

Rhys Williams knocks on under the challenge of James Bentley after a lovely kick chase from Richardson. A chance here for Saints on the Broncos line!

? Broncos 6-0 Saints ?⚪

19'

Welsby does well to cut inside and the ball finds its way to Costello on the right flank but his tip-on pass couldn’t find Swift and the Broncos survive.

? Broncos 6-0 Saints ?⚪

18'

Saints win a penalty through Batchelor and we have a chance to respond here!

? Broncos 6-0 Saints ?⚪

16'

Great defence from the Saints again though denies the Broncos after Joe Batchelor and then Morgan Knowles force the turnover.

? Broncos 6-0 Saints ?⚪

14'

Aaron Smith is penalised for a forward pass and London have the scrum in Saints’ half. Come on boys!

? Broncos 6-0 Saints ?⚪

12'
Goal
Kieran Dixon for London Broncos

Dixon converts the extras from in front of the sticks.

? Broncos 6-0 Saints ?⚪

11'
Try
Matt Fleming for London Broncos

London grab the first try as Abdull’s high bomb is clutched out of the air by former Saint Matt Fleming who strolls in unchallenged.

? Broncos 4-0 Saints ?⚪

6'

And that is exactly what the doctor ordered! Fantastic defence from the Saints to keep London out on our own line!

? Broncos 0-0 Saints ?⚪

5'

London have a chance here mind after a 40/20 from Jordan Abdull. Time to defend boys!

? Broncos 0-0 Saints ?⚪

3'

A pretty even start here in London with both team’s exchanging sets early. Morgan Knowles, who is captaining the Saints today, has put in a few big hits early on as has LMS! COYS!

? Broncos 0-0 Saints ?⚪

Referee Tom Grant raises his arm and we are off and underway here at the Trailfinders Sports Club! COYS! ?⚪

? Broncos 0-0 Saints ?⚪

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