Report: Sheffield Eagles 24 London Broncos 56

It is now five defeats from their last six for Mark Aston’s side, in their first game in over a month at their adopted home at Bawtry Road.

The Eagles hopes of kick-starting their stuttering season took another huge blow, with Aston’s side second best to a strong looking Broncos outfit who maintained their impressive start to the Championship campaign.

The visitors set their stall out from the first whistle opening up a commanding lead in the opening quarter.

The influential William Barthau reacted quickest to run in the opening try, which was converted by Wes Naiqama. Naiqama then ran in the second try on 12 minutes, before converting.

After a Rhys Williams score further extended the Broncos advantage, coach Aston must have feared the worst.

However the home side gave themselves a route back into the contest when Tyson produced a superb flick pass in the tackle, and Ben Blackmore finished with a dive in the corner. Aston missed the extras.

Just before the half hour Barthau laid on a try for former Eagle Matt Garside, which Naiqama converted.

The Eagles kept themselves within touching distance when Dave Hewitt’s cross-field kick found Menzie Yere who bagged the Eagles second score, but Aston failed with the conversion.

Before the break Aston’s side eat further into the Broncos lead when Yere released Michael Knowles, who handed over to Rob Worrincy for an easy run-in. Aston missed the conversion.

That would prove to be as close as the Eagles would get as London turned on the afterburners.

Barthau crossed the whitewash either side of half-time for a hat-trick and Williams then grabbed his second try after a metre 50 burst. It got worse for the hosts as Andy Ackers barged over and Garside and Alex Foster rubbed further salt into the wounds with late tries, as the Broncos pushed the score over 50.

The Eagles had the final say after Hewitt’s kick produced a try for Aston, which he converted, but he then saw yellow with Jon Margin after an altercation.

There was still time for a late Mark Mexico try, which Knowles converted, but it couldn’t brighten a disappointing night for the hosts.

Eagles: Laulu-Togagae, Worrincy, Yere, Tyson, Blackmore; Aston, Hewitt; Thorpe, Fozard, Stringer; Knowles, James; Minchella. Interchange: Carlile, Mexico, Neal, Wheeldon.

Scorers: Tries: Blackmore (25), Yere (32), Worrincy (37), Aston (76), Mexico (80) Goals: Aston 1/4, Knowles 1/1

London Broncos: Kear, Williams, Hellewell, Naiqama, Macani; Bussey, Barthau; Slyney, Cunningham, Offerdahl; Harrison, Foster; Magrin. Interchange: Ackers, Garside, Ioane, Battye.

Scorers: Tries: Barthau (5, 40, 43), Naiqama (12), Williams (19, 53), Garside (28, 69), Ackers (60), Foster (73)

Goals: Naiqama 7/9, Barthau 1/1

Referee: Chris Kendall

Attendance: 513