Leeds Rhinos moved a step closer to preserving their Super League status after surviving a rousing fightback from London Broncos at Ealing.
This has been a season to forget for Leeds and, though they are still visibly below the levels which took them to Super League glory for the eighth time last October, there are clearly signs of improvement since the arrival of Kevin Sinfield as coach.
While London performed superbly in the final quarter here, scoring 22 unanswered points, by then the game had long since been won by Leeds thanks to Joel Moon’s first-half hat-trick. The Rhinos now have two wins from their opening two Qualifiers. Three victories from their final five games will ensure a top-three finish and an instant return to Super League in 2019 without the need for the Million Pound Game.
Leeds were in complete control by half-time, scoring five tries to London’s one to lead 28-6 against a Broncos side who watched by Martin Offiah, fought valiantly in the final stages when the result was long since secured for Leeds.
The Broncos’ experience has been somewhat nomadic since their formation in 1980, with Ealing their ninth home in their 38-year existence. But, with Widnes in danger of relegation in this year’s Qualifiers, there is the possibility of a Championship side gaining promotion and London, whose junior development line continues to improve, could yet be that side.
Points difference could also be crucial in the race for the Million Pound Game, which may make the late flurry here from London – who, with one win from their first two games, remain handily placed – all the more vital come the end of the Qualifiers. “You worried where it was going at one point,” said their coach, Danny Ward, a teammate of Sinfield during their playing days at Leeds. “Hopefully there’s more days like this for London rugby league, though.”
A 15-minute hat-trick for centre Moon helped to put Leeds in control by half-time and later tries from Ashton Golding and Carl Ablett made it 48-10 at one stage. London, though, finished with a flourish, with tries by Daniel Hindmarsh and Ben Evans adding a shade of respectability to the scoreline which the Broncos’ efforts merited.
