Brave Broncos stun Wigan

Scrum-half Dennis Moran was in superb form for London

London 20-12 Wigan

London Broncos hung on to stun Super League leaders Wigan in a nervy encounter at The Valley on Sunday.

The Broncos climbed into the top five for the first time in two years with only their second win over the Warriors in 14 Super League meetings.

London, who began the season with four straight defeats, made it four wins on the bounce. And on this form they look strong contenders for a play-off spot.

The Broncos' biggest crowd of the season, 5,101, were treated to a fine game in which London made light of the best defence in Super League.

It was no fluke, we've had to work hard and we came up with some great defensive hits

  Tony Rea
Broncos coach

But the Broncos were also forced to defend resolutely when the Warriors made a late surge.

Narrowly beaten by champions St Helens last month, the Broncos were reeling when Wigan fought back from 16-8 down to set up a nervous final quarter.

Wigan went in front after only nine minutes when hooker Terry Newton put stand-off Matthew Johns over for the first try.

A first try of the season from Tulsen Tollett, in his first full game, brought the Broncos level on 22 minutes and they went in front five minutes later when scrum-half Dennis Moran timed his pass to perfection to get full-back Richie Barnett over.

When the superb Moran worked the ball wide for centre Greg Fleming to squeeze over, London seemed to be in control at 16-8 but Wigan showed their class just before the break when full-back Kris Radlinski finished a wonderful move.

That was the worst performance since I came to the club

  Frank Endacott
Warriors coach

Wigan had their chances to regain the lead in after the restart, with David Furner knocking on with the line at his mercy and Barnett denying winger Brett Dallas with a crucial interception.

The all-important score came on 61 minutes when Wigan failed to clear Moran's high kick and prop Scott Cram was on hand to claim the touchdown.

Wigan finished the game the stronger side and the Broncos were forced to produce a tremendous defensive stint to protect their hard-won lead.

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London: Barnett, Roy, Martin, Fleming, Golden, Tollett, Moran, Mestrov, Hetherington, Cram, Toshack, Retchless, Dymock. Replacements: Warton, Dooley, Gillett, Clarke.

Wigan: Radlinski, Dallas, Renouf, Johnson, Carney, Johns, Lam, O'Connor, Newton, Cowie, Cassidy, Furner, Farrell. Replacements: Betts, Haughton, Howard, Connolly.

Referee: Carl Kirkpatrick (RFU)