Broncos lost for words after ending win drought

18 August 2014 12:46

London Broncos head coach Joe Grima admitted his side were not quite sure how to celebrate after they finally ended their 23-game Super League losing streak with a shock 40-36 win over Leeds Rhinos.

Despite Rhinos fielding a side missing several first-team players ahead of next week's Challenge Cup final, the visitors were still 22 points up early in the second-half.

But relegated Broncos hit back with Joe Keyes completing his hat-trick of tries and Kieran Dixon, Mike McMeeken and Scott Moore also crossing to leave Grima overcome by the result.

"I know Leeds had players missing but they still had a quality team out there, and to come back like that is hard to believe," he said.

"Given the season we have had, to produce a performance like that takes some doing.

"If I'm totally honest, I am pretty emotional about it all. There's a great atmosphere in the dressing room, although most of the players don't actually know the words to any victory songs."

Elsewhere on Sunday fellow relegated side Bradford Bulls also turned the table on their opponents, defeating Hull FC 34-28.

Joe Arundel was the stand out performer with two tries against his parent club, who saw their play-offs hope hit by the result.

Sixth-placed Huddersfield Giants moved level on points with Leeds Rhinos in third despite struggling to hit top gear against Widnes Vikings before eventually prevailing 28-14.

St Helens remain top of the table by three points after a strong second-half showing saw off Wakefield Wildcats 40-16 on Friday.

Saints debutant Shannon McDonnell grabbed a brace, with Australian coach Nathan Brown looking ahead to their next clash with Rhinos at the end of the month.

"I thought the boys did a super job given we had to change people around and the positions they were in," said Brown.

"We lost Robes (James Roby) with a really nasty gash in his leg for half a game and Gary Wheeler for a spell.

"On top of that, Wakefield have picked up some big scalps in recent weeks so I have nothing but positive views on that. It was a good start for us and now we have two weeks to prepare for Leeds."

Wigan Warriors missed the chance to close the gap to St Helens as Matty Smith failed with his goal kick following Josh Charnley's try on the hooter against Hull KR on Thursday to leave the scores at 14-14.

Elsewhere Salford Red Devils sit tenth after a comfortable 34-22 victory at home to Catalan Dragons, New Zealander Rangi Chase picking up the man-of-the-match award while fit-again Kevin Locke scored two tries and kicked three goals.

Warrington Wolves coach Tony Smith insisted there was still another level to reach despite his side moving up to fourth with a 48-10 win over Castleford Tigers.

"We certainly got an improvement but there are some aspects I'm still not too happy with," he said.

"We had to do way too much defence in the first half and conceded too many errors in our part of the field."

Source: AFP