PICTURES EDDIE WHITHAM
WARRINGTON Wolves maintained their 100% record in The Qualifiers but not without a scare, as they defeated London Broncos 40-38.
The Championship side had led 14-0 in the early stages, though the Wolves fought back to be within four points at half time.
A blitz from Tony Smith’s side at the beginning of the second half ultimately proved decisive, putting them 40-20 in front, though the Broncos fought back bravely at the end.
Having struggled in their last outing against Halifax, there was a familiar feeling to the start of this one as once again the Wolves underwhelmed against a team from the league below.
Jarrod Sammut’s brace and Rhys Williams had the Broncos in control inside 20 minutes, and it took the introduction of the returning Kurt Gidley to help the Wolves back in to it.
First Tom Lineham collected Kevin Brown’s kick to score and then George King forced his way over the line, though there was some controversy surrounding Matty Russell in the build up.
Trailing at half time, the Wolves posted 24 unanswered posts before the hour mark to take charge of the game, Peta Hiku, Brown, Dec Patton and Ben Westwood all touching down.
Although Sammut’s hat-trick try stopped the rot to make it 34-20, the Wolves looked to have made the game safe with Brown’s second score.
But London valiantly fought back, and ended up just two short at the death – the third time they have lost by a narrow margin in the series so far.
