Reserves, Round 12 of 12

Rosslyn Park RU, Saturday 24 August 2024

London Broncos 0-54 Leigh Leopards

Leopards Reserves concluded their season with a commanding nine try victory in the Capital.

Stu Littler’s side won six league games in their first season since the reserve team was revived after a decade, a highly commendable achievement.

Leopards were always in command on the 4G at Rosslyn Park despite the wet weather.

Bailey Hodgson made his first Leopards appearance after signing for the club and other first team squad members to feature included Tom Nisbet, Ben McNamara, Luis Brogan and Dan Norman.

Returning from a long lay-off through injury, McNamara formed an excellent halfback partnership with Ben Tyrer and kicked a perfect nine goals from as many attempts.

Hooker Tommy Porter, one of the outstanding players for the Reserves throughout the season, led the way with two tries.

Leopards made a dominant start, a strong break by Norman, supported by McNamara and finished off by Valu Tane Bentley for the opening try of the afternoon.

Nisbet then snaffled an interception and showed his pace, burning off the cover from well inside his own half to finish in the corner.

As Leopards continued to dominate Tj Boyd added a 60-metre try before Porter’s show-and-go saw him grab his first try after rounding the fullback.

Tyrer and McNamara were dictating play in the middle despite the poor conditions and winger Liam Copland finished off superbly after McNamara’s astute kick created the opening, taking the ball on the full before touching down.

Leading 30-0 at the break Leopards had to soak up some strong Broncos pressure at the start of the second half as play became increasingly scrappy.

There was no addition to the score until 15 minutes from the end when Finn Irwin reacted first to a Tyrer grubber kick to touch down.

Brogan then took on the line and offloaded top send Luke Sutcliffe under the posts as the visitors finished in dominant fashion.

Tyrer took on the defensive line and Brogan was on hand to snaffle the offload and score the try his own efforts deserved.

There was still time for a final flourish as Porter brought up the half century with his second try from 30 metres out, and the impeccable kicking by McNamara brought the curtain down on a highly satisfactory campaign.

Leopards

Bailey Hodgson; Alfie Whittle, Tom Nisbet, Tj Boyd, Liam Copland; Ben Tyrer, Ben McNamara; Dan Norman, Tommy Porter, Louis Brogan, Ralph Wood, Finlay Irwin, Valu Tane Bentley

Bench:

Lewis Fairhurst, Ryan Lockett, Joe Rustage, Scott Finney. 18th player: Luke Sutcliffe

Tries:

Bentley (10), Nisbet (17), Boyd (25), Porter (26, 80), Copland (35), Irwin (65), Sutcliffe (74), Brogan (77)

Goals:

McNamara 9/ 9

Referee: M McKelvey; Touch judges: G Winnard & H Winnard