Rugby League: Change of Air revives London play-off hope

London Broncos 34 Bradford Bulls 8

London Broncos 34 Bradford Bulls 8

A HAT-TRICK of tries from Glen Air breathed new life into London's flagging bid for a play-off place, writes Dave Hadfield.

Air, switched to scrum-half to deputise for the injured Shaun Edwards, took full advantage of a ponderous Bradford side, who now find their own top five prospects under fresh pressure.

London started with an urgency and cohesion they have rarely shown this season and never looked back. Three tries in the first 13 minutes gave them the perfect launch-pad, Peter Gill dummying his way over for one, Peter Ryan capitalising when Nathan McAvoy spilled a high kick and Air claiming his first from Rob Smyth's inside pass

The champions responded with a try from their captain, Graeme Bradley, and two goals from Steve McNamara put them only eight points in arrears at the break.

But some brilliant handling, starting with a 30-yard run by Grant Young, ended with John Timu going over for the Broncos and the Bulls' faint chance disappeared completely when Robbie Paul was sin-binned.

Young's overhead pass released Air for his second and, two minutes from time, he claimed his third, scooting over direct from a scrum. Tulsen Tollett, despite missing one goal from directly in front, finished with five successes.

London Broncos: Toshack; Goodwin, Timu, Ryan, Smyth; Tollett, Air; Young, Williams, Carroll, Retchless, Millard, Gill. Substitutes used: Dunford, Salter, Beazley, Spencer.

Bradford Bulls: Spruce; Scales, McAvoy, Bradley, Graham; Paul, Deacon; McDermott, Lowes, Harmon, Dwyer, Forshaw, McNamara. Substitutes used: Fielden, Howard, Donougher, Ekoku.

Referee: R Smith (Castleford).