You could be mistaken for thinking that sporting wise this weekend couldn’t get any more exciting. Yesterday Chelsea proved that money really can buy silverware, whilst Harlequins were relegated from top flight rugby for the first time in their history. However; there was the smaller matter of a rampant Bradford side looking for 3 on the trot visited Griffin Park to play a London side looking at 6 straight Super League defeats.
As the players ran out to perfect summer rugby conditions, fans had seen Tony Rea make some perhaps inspirational changes to the side. Anyone remember moving Dennis to full back? Lucky didn’t even make the 17 after a poor run in form, but the big news was that Mark McLinden was partnering Mark O’Halloran in the centres. In fact for most of the game Paul Sykes would play in the centres and Marty show that he really can play any position but leading from the back at full back.
It was the Bulls that came up with the first mistake with Bradford knocking on after some hard hitting tackles from the Broncos. From the scum London nearly scored after a cross field kick, but it was diffused.
London kept applying to pressure to the Bulls line, however the first points came after Paul Sykes stopped Bradford’s kick on the 5th tackle, he picked up and ran the length of the field to score under the posts. He duly converted his kick, 6-0 London.
It was nearly 10 minutes before Bradford got their first proper attack, with them breaking down their right wing, it possibly should’ve been a try, however Marty decided to take the guys head off and so Bradford got a penalty which they decided to run, however the Broncos defence stopped any threat. Arguably, McLinden should have been sin binned, it was a high tackle and he did stop a scoring opportunity. If Laughton had then the game could have been completely different; as will be discussed later.
Bradford started to play the rugby they are famous are and through the boot of Paul Deacon, they got the first and only 40/20 of the game. The penalty count started to rise as London struggled to cope with the power and pace of a huge Bulls pack. They decide not to for a tricky two points, however due to some brilliant tackles Bradford couldn’t cross the white wash.
In the space of two minutes, I feel Laughton lost all control of the game. First there was somewhat of a scramble for the ball on the floor with Bradford initially knocking on. However; Laughton believed that it was in fact London who had knocked on. The fans were irate, who if were honest have always felt Mr Laughton isn’t the best referee around. Things were about to get worse for the referee after it seemed Lee Radford tripped Paul Sykes after he cleared up the pieces from a Bradford attack. The penalty was awarded but no card was shown, Aspinwall all over again? I certainly think so. Not enough evidence, probably, after all it didn’t even go on report. All that could be heard from the stands was cries of ‘off off off’ mixed in with the chanting of ‘cheat.’
Luke Dorn then made a beautiful break, however Pryce caught him and decided to that the definition of a tackle is to put the player on the floor, pick them up again and then put them back on the floor. This was a blatant professional foul, and it should have seen Leon spend 10 minutes in the bin. However; Laughton not for the first time failed to set a benchmark for what is allowed and isn’t and only awarded a penalty. Bradford were made to pay though as Sykes slotted over the penalty, London were 8-0 up.
McLinden made a darting break on the 25 minute mark, which put Sykes through for a certain score, however he was held up. It was London’s turn to be awarded a string of penalties, well two. The first one they ran and from that they were awarded another penalty. I myself felt that they should go for the two, however they decided to run it, much to the horror to many Broncos fans. The Broncos showed why they decided to run for it as Hopkins came from no where to cross the whitewash and Sykes converted, with London 14-0 up, with Bradford on the rack and still 10 minutes to go of the 1st half.
London’s final score of the half came from Jon Wells, who after some slick play scored in the corner. As a hush drew over Griffin Park for Sykes to take his most difficult kick of the afternoon…. he missed it, and the hooter went, London were 18-0 up. Were London about to end their losing streak. They had played awesome in that first half, probably there best half of the season. You wouldn’t know Bradford had some of the worlds best players, the London defence all be it desperate at times shut out any threat from the likes of Paul, Deacon and Harris. The pressing defence had caused mistakes, mistakes which London benefited from. The game was there for the taking, it would require 10-15 minutes hard work at the start of the second half to seal the victory.
The second half didn’t start well as Sykes kicked out on the fall gifting Bradford a penalty from which Harris crossed over for Bradford’s first points of the afternoon. It was obvious Brian Noble had put a rocket up every single player as Bradford started to play with more flair and passion. Whilst London seemed to melt in the heat with first half hero Paul Sykes, becoming the villain, kicking out on the fall two more times from the kick off.
After a successful spell at full back in the first half Tony Rea decided to keep with him there and 10 minutes in to the 2nd half, London crossed to make it 22-4. It was great hands from the London backline, Leuluai to Dorn to McLinden who then gave it to Smith for him to score in the corner. Although we didn’t know it then, this was going to the only positive of the 2nd half. London just disappeared. They were stepping back from tackles, letting Bradford play the football they wanted.
At times it was like Bradford were playing for fun, taking the Broncos one way, watching them miss tackles here there and everywhere, only to take them back the other and leave gaping holes in a London defence that had proved very leaky this season. The lead soon vanished in to thin air as Reardon went over.
15 minutes in to the half, the points were level as Peacock crashed over, after several missed tackles. Just to think we were 18-0 up!! London looked dead and berried; but that didn’t stop Laughton making just one more mistake, awarding a penalty to Bradford for ripping at the ptb, although replays showed that Fielden actually knocked on.
Tries from the Pryce brothers, Jamie Langley and a deacon drop goal meant Bradford notched up 41 points on to the score board. Although; there was some class involved in these tries, you cant help thinking that if London had been tackling like they were in the first half Bradford would’ve have found the prospect of crossing the line a more difficult challenge.
Before the final hooter, NBQ crossed for a consolation try, showing that London do have the class but for whatever reason didn’t show it in the 2nd half. The final score being 41-22 to the Bulls.
Watching how badly we disintegrated today, I feel the question has to be asked should Mr Rea call it a day. I probably am underestimating how well Bradford played in the 2nd half. However as far as I’m concerned to give away an 18 point lead is suicidal. Just to think after our fabulous wins against Wakefield, Wigan and Widnes; fans had aspirations of possible trip to Old Trafford in October. The quality is there, but Tony doesn’t seem to be getting that out of the players and if he does it’s not for the total 80. London lost all kind of shape today and that just isn’t good enough at the top.
Due to London’s poor run in form, and a revival by Windes and Leigh two teams who were meant to be the leagues whipping boys, relegation has once more become a real issue. Tony has done the best he can with that team, and so I feel it is now time for him to resign and let someone else have a go, before it’s too late.
If London had won today; of course I wouldn’t be saying this, but its how they lost that hurts the most. The points were there for the taking and not for the first time this season London let the points slip away.
Until the management changes I fail to see how the Broncos form will change.
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