MATCH REPORT: London Broncos 6-26 Huddersfield Giants

LONDON BRONCOS V HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS (by David Ballheimer)

London Broncos (6) 6, Huddersfield Giants (12) 26

London Broncos suffered another defeat against Huddersfield Giants a team they haven’t beaten in their last 19 attempts since Harlequins won 24–0 in March 2008. A 12–6 half-time deficit showed the Broncos were definitely in the game, but the second half was one-way traffic, all going towards the line London were defending.

In the eighth minute, a 40–20 from Oli Leyland gave the Broncos a good scoring opportunity but a run on the last tackle ended without a run at the line. In fact, four out of the first five times London reached a last-tackle play close to the Huddersfield line, no kick was attempted and the Giants defence held firm with a degree of comfort.

However, after Lee Kershaw had intercepted a pass on half-way, London struck, Leyland kicking over the top and reaching the ball first. The referee went to the video booth and the decision of try was followed by Leyland’s conversion from in front of the posts, meaning that a penalty try had been awarded. 

After 20 minutes, the Giants had a spell of concerted pressure but four sets in a row ended with an interception 10 metres from the Broncos line. However, with Huddersfield’s next possession a kick from Tui Lolohea bounced horribly for Alex Walker and kindly for Adam Swift, who fell on the rolling ball. 

Harvey Livett missed the conversion and he failed again a few minutes later after a storming run from Kevin Naiqama took him over the line. The Broncos, however, contributed to their extra defensive work by conceding a couple of penalties.

In 32nd minute, a run from Iliess Macani ended with a diagonal kick inside. Jacob Jones got to the ball first but his attempt to stretch over the line came up just short, the referee’s opinion confirmed by the video official.

Four minutes before the break, Swift showed his great qualities as a winger by catching a wild pass from Lolohea, keeping his feet inside the touchline and then stretching over the line. Livett failed to convert for the third time.

Huddersfield made a strong start to the second half in attack and defence. Macani was dragged back more than 20 metres on a carry and went to ground almost under the posts. 

The possession ended with a kick from inside the London 20 and the Giants made London pay with a score for Adam Clune. Livett ceded kicking duties to Lolohea, who added the extras and, in the 51st minute, he kicked a penalty from 10 metres out after a short goal-line drop-out didn’t go 10 metres, the ball held up in a gust of wind.

Lolohea’s kicking was proving too much for London to deal with as he tormented the Broncos with high and low kicks. His bomb after 61 minutes was athletically gathered by Sam Halsall, who was able to ground the ball for the sixth Giants try and Lolohea made it 26–6.

The Broncos’ defence was asked numerous tough questions, but they were able to go the final 18 minutes without conceding another try. However, with the ball, there was no joy for London; in fact, getting across half-way with ball in hand and complete a play-the-ball proved impossible for about 20 minutes.

London Broncos: 1 Alex Walker, 2, Lee Kershaw, 3 Jarred Bassett, 21 Robbie Storey, 5 Iliess Macani, , 20 Oi Leyland, 7 James Meadows, 19, Rhys Kennedy, 9 Sam Davis. 15 Marcus Stock, 11 Will Lovell, 29 Jacob Jones, 13 Dean Parata. Replacements: 8 Rob Butler, 16 Jordan Williams, 31 Reiss Butterworth, 33 Harvey Makin. 18th man: 4 Hakim Miloudi,

Tries: Leyland (Penalty – 12)

Goals: Leyland 1/1

Sin-bin: None

Huddersfield Giants: 3 Esan Masters, 24 Sam Halsall, 5 Jake Bibby, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 2 Adam Swift, 6 Tui Lolohea, 7 Adam Clune, 13 Luke Yates, 19 Tom Deakin, 17 Olly Wilson 11 Jack Murchie, 22 Harvie Livett, 21 Leroy Cudjoe. Replacements: 10 Joe Greenwood, 14 Ashton Golding, 16 Harry Rushton, 18 Sebastian Ikahefo. 18th man: 17 Oliver Russell.

Tries: Swift (24, 36), Masters (28), Clune (45), Halsall (61)

Goals: Livett 0/3 Lolohea 3/3

Sin-bin: None

Referee: Tom Grant

HT: 6–12

Penalty awarded count: 5–10

Attendance: Est 2,300