London Broncos landed a famous win over Catalans Dragons as they won 12-10 at Plough Lane to pick up just their second Super League win of the season.
It’s arguably the biggest upset of the season with London priced as 11/1 outsiders when facing a Catalans Dragons side that had won four from five and could have gone fourth with a win.
Steve McNamara’s side were perhaps wasteful but Mike Eccles’ side were valiant in their defence and had the best of the first half to head into the break with a deserved 6-0 lead.
Catalans did hit back through Jarrod Wallace but minutes later Jarred Bassett ran in under the posts after a smart Oli Leyland break and offload. Fouad Yaha’s try was unconverted which meant London Broncos were able to hold on for a famous win.
It’s a win that actually draws them within two points of Hull FC, however, with IMG gradings set to determine the makeup of Super League for 2025, finishing 11th likely won’t save London.
London Broncos owner involved in IMG rant
Credit: Imago Images
Their expected relegation due to IMG gradings has been a contentious point all season but speaking at halftime, it was something that London Broncos owner David Hughes noted once again, having previously spoken on the matter earlier this year.
Ranked 24th of the 35 professional clubs when the preliminary grades were released, it looked impossible for London to ensure their Super League status for 2025 and when asked, owner David Hughes had his say.
“You better ask IMG that. I’m not going to comment too much on it,” he told Sky Sports.
“Hopefully, it might change a little bit, but we’re up in the air at the moment.”
Asked if he had ‘given up hope of being a Super League side next season’, Hughes responded: “Not really but I just hope that we can retract and get away from the IMG ruling, which is bizarre.
“I don’t want to comment too much on it, but it was all based on our last three years where we’ve been down in the Championship.
“We’ve been in Super League for 20 out of the 27 years, and I don’t know how that was assessed and who allowed someone to come up with the last three years to be the ones that give the ratings.”
He also spoke on what London Broncos need, namely fans to turn up to Plough Lane. Those who did today were rewarded massively with a brilliant performance, something that arguably highlights why London are worthy of a place in Super League.
Hughes explained: “It’s a superb set up here but basically we need 9,000 or 10,000 more people here which is a difficult task in London but it’s a wonderful Rugby League stadium.”
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John
August 5, 2024 at 12:22 pm
With or without IMG, London Broncos were only ever going to get one season in the Super League.
The only reason this looks contentious is because Hull FC have had a season with a coach who turned out not to be up to scratch, some terrible signings, and a horrendous injury list. Any other season, Broncos would be hung out to dry at the bottom.
It’s no good saying we need a club in the capital because, for the most part, the Broncos results, in spite of fantastic efforts on the part of the players, have been embarrassing to Rugby League at times rather than promoting the sport in London.
If they are serious about building their fan base, the first thing they need to do is have a ground where they play all their home games!
Anonymous
August 5, 2024 at 8:15 pm
You are quite right about I M G the system defies any logic. Other sports laugh at Rugby League as it establishes a closed shop in the top fligh. However, I don’t remember London crying foul when they took what should have been our place in the Top league back in 1995. Good luck to you though,you earned your place this year, and, whilst there were not many of them, your supporters were excellent when they came to Featherstone last year.