Tigers beat the Broncos in Ebbsfleet!

It was a big clash between London Broncos and Castleford Tigers at The Kuflink Stadium, home of Ebbsfleet United FC. Credit to the travelling Tigers Faithful who made the long trip over to Ebbsfleet.

Tex Hoy got us underway at The Kuflink Stadium with a high kick which was safely collected by Josh Rourke.

Cas got over after three minutes played after Tex Hoy took a quick scoot around the ruck and danced his way through the line and finally past Joh Rourke to go over just left of the posts in what was a great start for Cas.

London thought they’d hit back moments later through Robbie Storey but the former Tigers youngster was denied as he lost the ball over the line. Rhys Kennedy look to protest the call and stand in the way of a rushing Tex Hoy. This then led to Kennedy leaving the field for a professional foul.

Cas continued their perfect start as a acrobatic Innes Senior dived over in the corner, Milnes was there to convert from the touchline to put Cas twelve points ahead after ten minutes.

James Meadows didn’t lose his spirit early on however as his 40/20 was successful putting the Broncos on the Tigers line.

London had a shout for a try in the corner as Lee Kershaw bundled over following the 40/20 from Meadows however another knock on over the line gifted Cas a 20 metre restart.

With fourteen minutes played Elie El Zakhem had a possible try sent up to the video referee, unfortunately for El Zakhem a bounced ball over the line resulted in possession to London.

London got themselves on the scoresheet as a kick into the corner found Josh Rourke who out jumped Jason Qareqare in the process.

In what was an end to end ten minutes, Cas finally found a breakthrough off a scrum play. Alex Mellor the direct target who found the try line after a short pass from Miller.

 A penalty from the kick off set and Cas were back on the London line, a cut out pass from Jacob Miller found Innes Senior who walked over the line unscathed. 

The Broncos didn’t lose hope when captain Will Lovell collected a short pass and got himself over the line, keeping London in the game with minutes to play in the first half.

The Tigers were the team in front after an impressive attacking display in the first half but the game was still in the balance after a late London try from Lovell.

Rowan Milnes slipped through the line to begin the first half for Cas after multiple repeat sets but an obstruction call stopped him in his tracks.

Cas finally hit first in the second half through Alex Mellor, a silky move from Jacob Miller allowed the half to break through the line and find Alex Mellor who went under the posts for his second of the evening.

Cas scored again minutes later in a quality play down the left on the last tackle from Rowan Milnes. 

Former Tigers man, Lewis Bienek crashed over with twenty minutes left to play after he barged through Tex Hoy on the goal line to reduce the deficit.

Both teams weren’t shy of throwing the ball around in the second half, however plenty of errors stopped the teams from scoring more points in the second half.

London hit again under the posts through through Marcus Stock once , two tries for the for London within minutes putting London behind by fourteen with ten to play.

The Broncos were piling on the pressure set after set but an error at the play of the ball gave Tigers possession with minutes to play.

A tough outing for both teams under the lights in Ebbsfleet but it was Cas who made it two on the bounce on the road in Super League.

London Broncos: Josh Rourke, Lee Kershaw, Robbie Storey, Jarred Bassett, Iliess Macani, Oli Leyland, James Meadows, Rhys Kennedy, Sam Davis, Lewis Bienek, Will Lovell, Sadiq Adebiyi, Jacob Jones.

Interchanges: Ethan Natoli, Ugo Tison, Rob Butler, Marcus Stock.

Tries: Rourke, Lovell, Bienek, Stock

Conversions: Leyland x2

Sin Bin: Kennedy

Castleford Tigers: Tex Hoy, Jason Qareqare, Corey Hall, Alex Mellor, Innes Senior, Rowan Milnes, Jacob Miller, George Griffin, Liam Horne, Muizz Mustapha, Elie El-Zakhem, George Lawler, Joe Westerman.

Interchanges: Liam Watts, Cain Robb, Luis Johnson, Matty English.

Tries: Hoy, Senior x2, Mellor x2, Milnes

Conversions: Milnes x5