Leeds Rhinos Narrowly Escape Upset Against Determined London Broncos
In a nail-biting encounter at Headingley, Leeds Rhinos avoided an upset against bottom-placed London Broncos, thanks to a match-winning drop goal from Brodie Croft in golden point extra-time.
The Rhinos got the job done against the Broncos on Saturday afternoon, but it was a far from perfect performance. The Broncos led 16-10 at the half-time break, with tries from debutant Josh Rourke, Rhys Kennedy, and Iliess Macani giving the visitors the advantage.
“The Broncos led 16-10 at the half-time break, with tries from debutant Josh Rourke, Rhys Kennedy, and Iliess Macani giving the visitors the advantage.”
However, the Rhinos fought back in the second half, with Rhyse Martin’s try and conversion levelling the score at 16-16 with 10 minutes remaining. The game went into golden point, and former Man of Steel Croft stepped up to slot a crucial one-pointer, securing a 17-16 victory for the hosts.
Incoming Head Coach Faces Challenges
Incoming head coach Brad Arthur, set to be appointed until the end of the season, will have his work cut out for him as he looks to turn the Rhinos’ fortunes around. The team, on paper, has the talent to be a playoff contender, if not a top-four side, but the squad needs to find their groove.
Positives and Milestones
Among the positives for Leeds was the standout performance of James McDonnell, whose flick pass led to a try, and the continued excellence of homegrown winger Ash Handley, who scored his 12th try of the season.
In a notable milestone, Leeds Rhinos academy product Mikolaj Oledzki made his 150th appearance for the club in the hard-fought victory.
Resilient Broncos Refuse to Give Up
While the Broncos sit bottom of the Super League table with just one win, they have not let their circumstances deter them this season. Head coach Mike Eccles has instilled a commendable work ethic in the squad, and their effort against the Rhinos was a testament to their fight.
The narrow win will provide little comfort for the Rhinos, who know they must improve if they are to secure a playoff spot and live up to the expectations of a club of their stature. However, the resilience shown by the Broncos suggests they are not a team to be easily dismissed, despite their league position.
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