Macani looks absolutely shot

30-12
Looking safe now but we’ve made very hard work of it

Phew, hopefully we can kick on from here and get more points.

Just back from my first match at Plough Lane

First half London completely on Top, Dewsbury did not look like they had got off the coach, as first 3 attacks, London scored and 18-0 up. Then some good defence before fourth try, and going in at half time 22-0 seemed surreal (this was my first game this season, but London completely on top and playing well).

2nd half was 100% reverse, London hardly touched the ball first 20 mins (plus going down to 12 men), and dewsbury scored 3 tries down both flanks (london looked shot). However luckily all 3 conversions missed, so still a 10 point lead, before they managed to quell the storm and score 3 late tries.

A win is a win, but if the rams had got it back to even scores, would have been different result, but the broncos did deserve the win.

PL is a nice compact ground, but too big for London right now, was about 700 or so I would guess tonight, looking at 3 empty stands does not look great. Also catering was abysmal (I assume this is as normally you would have the south stand open). My dad is Veggie, and all they had was a pie nothing else (not even chips), and no burgers either (although we did not go into the bar, maybe they had more food there).

Also playing in Warrington tops really does not sit well, if they want to be blue and yellow, do not have a chevron, have something original and not an old warrington design. I would prefer they go back to black asap tbh.

I think they will stay up, but only because they are better than Dewsbury and Workington.

I took a slightly more upbeat take on that match,
I never thought the result was in doubt although I accept Rams’ failure to convert was really helpful in just maintaining distance. We started really well. Chisholm’s try is easily the best thing we’ve done this season, he basically chipped their line and followed through to score. Bienek played very well in the first half and made a number of really impressive charges where he just knocked players (multiple) on their backsides. This really lifted the crowd. I’m not sure whether Walker makes many metres but he is very, very secure under the high ball and that helped. 2nd half we started very flat and they began to look dangerous. I agree we did look a little shot. We went down to 12 men when Albert took a 10 minute bath for a high shot. We conceded 3 in quick order but the clock was ticking. Slowly we began to defend stoutly and push them via kicks back deep into their own half. Basically we ate up the clock and made them work hard. They then tired and we scored a couple and a penalty. Chisholm and Bienek were very good. Walker and Lovell made contributions and I thought Foster had a good game. Macani works hard but I’m not sure he has the explosive pace needed for a winger. Ulberg is better in attack. Gahan did well, Parata and Leyland a little quieter.
On concessions only one counter open but then crowd was low. I’d have said around 500 myself. Decent atmosphere though Overall I think we could do something against Newcastle if we really want to.

With the conversions being so important I don’t understand why they don’t have a right footer curling in from the left and vice versa. Some, of course, are deadly from both sides but after the 1st miss out on the left I was pretty certain he would miss the 2nd and he did by some margin. Not at the same level as misses by young Coates but not great and slightly deflated Rams.

Sykes once got 12 from 12 in a game for us which I'm not sure has been beaten.

V widnes IIRC.

Was that our last game at Griffin Park?

Sykes kicked 10 from 12 that day.....I was wrong, it was that year, but the hammering of Wakefield in late February that saw him kick 12/12.

Genuinely pleased that you got your first win of the season and against one of the teams around you. Only just caught up with the scores. Would have been monitoring from my work station but on the way into work on the bus (which continues to Manchester Royal Infirmary as it happens) Bongser is told he "did a Zak Hardaker" out of the blue and the driver and other passengers kept him captive until MRI. Don't recall a thing about it, felt absolutely fine barring frustration that Bongser's phone was dead by kick off and that not one of the nurses & doctors would agree to keep him updated on the rugby scores. No more clapping for the NHS from this quarter.



Anyway, upward and onward now Broncos - barring against Leigh of course.

I have long suspected that getting on buses is bad for the health. All the best and Hope you are well now.