Moran inspires Broncos surge up to top six

Widnes 12 London Broncos 3

Three gems of opportunism from their scrum-half, Dennis Moran, took London above Widnes and into the play-off places at the top of Super League.

Although there were times in the first half when neither side looked keen on the prospect of laying claim to that slot, it was the Broncos who finally awoke to the possibility with Moran's ability to make something-out-of-nothing the key ingredient.

"He does it too often to just call it opportunism. He's shown himself to be a world-class No 7,'' said his coach, Tony Rea, also relieved at the certainty Matt Moran will now be back with the club next year.

In a cagey first quarter, London took the lead with a penalty from Tony Martin, another who has pledged his immediate future to the Broncos. The game's first try went the other way, Craig Weston having his initial kick blocked but the ball sitting up conveniently for Adam Hughes to hack forward and win the race to touch down.

In a game still lacking much in the way of expansive ideas, the nearest thing to another try came from another kick, from the unlikely boot of Anthony Farrell, just about made safe by Nigel Roy.

It was again Weston who showed how it should be done, finding acres of space on the London right wing for a low, skidding kick, swooped upon by Hughes for his 16th try of a productive season.

The next try also came from a Weston kick, but it went to London. Widnes palmed it back and Moran, Super League's interception specialist, snapped it up to race 70 yards and score.

It was another gift that set London on their way after the break, Julian O'Neill making a mess of the kick-off. From the scrum, the Broncos moved the ball out and Rob Jackson slid over in the corner. Four minutes later, Moran's pass was knocked down but fell kindly for Martin who sent Jim Dymock over for the try that tilted the game the Broncos' way.

Moran then scored his second interception try, picking off Steve Carter's pass from 60 yards out to show that he is the last man to be given leeway in such situations.

Widnes's first real pressure of the half saw Jason Demetriou score from Carter's kick to the corner. But London, who surrendered an 18-point lead at home to Wakefield last week, were not about to make the same mistake again here.

With eight minutes remaining, Moran chipped over Stuart Spruce and claimed the third of his spectacular collection of tries.

London's superior points difference now makes them the team in possession. On this showing it is hard to imagine Widnes snatching the play-off place back from them.

Widnes: Spruce; Demetriou, Potter, Hughes, Percival; Weston, Eaton; Relf, Cantillon, Stone, Farrell, McCurrie, Frame. Substitutes used: Mills, Carter, O'Neill, Atcheson.

London Broncos: Sykes; Houles, Martin, Roy, Jackson; Gillette, Moran; Stephenson, Hetherington, Marshall, Retchells, Toshack, Dymock. Substitutes used: Budworth, Evans, Bawden, Shaw.

Referee: P Taberner (Wigan).