Star Sport
Saints win Super League opener in London
5:09pm Saturday 4th February 2012
Saints edged to victory in their keenly contested Super League opener 34-24 in London.
But it took a late try from stand in skipper James Roby five minutes from time to make sure after they were forced to scrap for the full 80 minutes.
In bitterly cold conditions an early try from Jonny Lomax was cancelled out by a touchdown from Michael Robertson.
But a try from speedy back rower Andrew Dixon, courtesy of a fine Lee Gaskell pass put the Saints back in front.
Jamie Foster added a penalty to his earlier conversions but Olsi Krasniqi closed the gap to two points when he cashed through from close range.
Another Saints penalty converted by Foster was soon cancelled out when the home side countered well and in a fluent move Chris Bailey crossed, with Michael Witt goaling to give the Londoners the lead.
Saints did go close on the half time hooter, when they gave the ball some air but Foster was inches short from regaining the lead in the last play of the game.
Lance Hohaia looked as though he had restored Saints’ lead after backing up a Lomax break, but that was chalked off after a consultation with the in-goal judge.
Saints did get their noses back in front when they gave the ball some air, culminating in Francis Meli sending Foster in at the corner.
Lee Gaskell’s kick through on the hour mark was missed by the Broncos defence, allowing Meli to touch down.
But after conceding territory through penalties, London got a toe hold back in the game. After Gary Wheeler had halted O’Callaghan on the line, Michael Witt came up with a try after Foster had failed to collect an attacking kick wide on the last tackle.
That made the deficit four points and game on, until Roby struck with a trademark score five minutes from time.
London: Dorn; Robertson, Colbon, O’Callaghan, Dixon; Witt, Gower; Kaufusi, Randall, Clubb, Bailey, Rodney, Golden. Subs: Melling, Krasniqi, Rinaldi, Bryant.
Saints: Hohaia; Makinson, Wheeler, Meli, Foster; Gaskell, Lomax; Laffranchi, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Dixon, Soliola, Wilkin. Subs: Perry, Clough, Flanagam, Gardner.