Goole Vikings made a huge statement as they beat former Super League side London Broncos in their first ever competitive match as a professional club. Scott Taylor’s side dug deep in the capital and they had enough to secure an historic 17-10 win in the Challenge Cup second round.
The East Yorkshire outfit only became a professional outfit in September, when they awarded a spot in League One by the RFL. But, with the magic of the Cup alive and well, they can now look forward to a third round tie against Super League’s Wakefield Trinity at the club’s Victoria Pleasure Ground.
The Vikings actually fell behind in the contest at Rosslyn Park, with new Broncos signing Connor O’Beirne getting over for the first try of the game. Sadiq Adebiyi touched down in the 18th minute to give London a healthy 10-0 lead, too.
Goole weren’t overawed by the occasion, though, and hometown boy Tom Halliday led the fightback as he touched down in the corner just before the half-time whistle for the club’s first ever competitive try.
Thomas Minns then lit up the second round tie as he burst through a tackle on the halfway line before powering home to bring the Vikings level. And, with 11th minutes left on the clock, Goole hit the front. This time the effort came through Mackenzie Harman, who intercepted a pass in his own half before bursting away and touching down under the posts.
Reece Dean added the one pointer with five minutes left on the clock and London didn’t have the answers as Goole secured their spot in the next round of the competition.
💪 A huge try!
🏉 Mackenzie Harman puts @Goole_VikingsRL into the lead for the first time through an interception…
📺 Watch on @BBCSport
🏆 #ChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/V4cHSCMvfo
— Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) January 25, 2025
“I’m proud of the boys,” head coach Taylor told the BBC after the game. “We were 10-0 down early on but we stuck to the process and come out on the other side of it with the win.
“I’m just really happy, really proud. We’ve created history today, the first game as a club and this win isn’t just for the players or people in the staff or at the club, it’s about everybody at Goole who has supported us since we’ve been announced. I’m just glad we could get the win.
“That’s the magic of the Cup, that’s what we love about the Challenge Cup. Special memories. Tom Halliday has been committed from day one, the first signing to this club, from Goole and he was outstanding, he deserved his try.
“Since we came together as a new team it’s been 80 per cent defence and 20 per cent attack. We needed a defend mentality and that’s what we did.”
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