Broncos off the mark in style

Ian Millward: expected to return to work on Monday after compassionate leave

Craig Gower: scored a try in the opening half at the Twickenham Stoop

London Broncos finally opened their Stobart Super League account with a convincing 42-16 win over Castleford at the Twickenham Stoop.

David Howell crossed twice for the hosts, who had lost their previous five fixtures in 2012, with his opening score complimented by further tries from Mark Gower, Chris Bailey and Matt Cook in the first half.

Castleford remained in touch through efforts from Nick Youngquest and Kirk Dixon and when Ryan McGoldrick touched down early in the second half the game was up for grabs.

The Broncos, however, gave themselves some breathing space with a try for Dan Sarginson before crossing three more times in the final 13 minutes.

Making amends

Rob Powell's side certainly looked keen to make amends for last week's sorry display at Salford in the opening exchanges, breaking the deadlock inside six minutes.

A Chad Randall miss-pass carved open a huge gap for centre Howell to stride through and get his first try of the afternoon.

Randall was the provider again moments later, charging down a Danny Orr kick before seizing on the loose ball and feeding Bailey for a clear run-in.

Yet the capital club gifted their opponents a lifeline when Antonio Kaufusi immediately coughed up the ball near his own line, with Youngquest darting over in the corner soon after to get the Tigers on the board.

Castleford came mightily close to levelling before the 20-minute mark, Jake Emmitt spilling as he attempted to ground the ball, while Liam Colbon knocked on with the line at his mercy at the other end of the field.

The Tigers did, though, score again after 22 minutes, a short Rangi Chase pass seeing Dixon crash through some weak tackling to get over.

Only a superb last-ditch tackle from Luke Dorn denied Youngquest a second before the Broncos regained the lead, Gower bursting through a gap from close range to reach the line.

Even better was to come before the break for the hosts, Cook stretching over after full-back Dorn had superbly reeled in a booming Michael Witt kick.

Threatening Tigers

The Tigers did threaten to come roaring back again when McGoldrick crossed with ease, though that would be as close as they would get.

The Londoners took a grip on the contest just before the hour-mark, Sarginson - making his first start of the campaign - showing great strength to force his way over after Michael Robertson had touched back Witt's kick.

They moved 16 points clear when Gower charged through a gap and offloaded for Jason Golden to stroll home for a decisive score that made certain Castleford would be suffering a fifth straight defeat.

In the end the final scoreline looked extremely one-sided, further efforts from Chris Melling and Howell taking the Broncos' tally of tries to eight. Cas coach Ian Millward certainly has plenty of work to do if, as expected, he returns to work on Monday after being away on compassionate leave.

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