Broncos steamroll Doncaster to reach championship semifinals

Doncaster winger Edene Gebbie taking on London Broncos defence during the Betfred Championship play-off on Monday Cherry Red Records Stadium *(Image: Mediapac Sports)*

London Broncos maintained their relentless pursuit of a Betfred Championship treble on Sunday, handing Doncaster RLFC an emphatic 42-6 defeat in their qualifying play-off final at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

The Broncos, who already hold the League Leaders' Shield and 1895 Trophy, effectively put the game out of reach during a second-half surge, booking their place in the penultimate stage of the Championship Finals.

Doncaster, entering the weekend on a nine-game winning streak during their 75th anniversary season, faced early adversity when prop Brad Knowles exited in the opening minutes with a jaw injury, throwing off the team's forward rotation.

London took advantage in the 17th minute. Following a penalty that pushed the Broncos into attacking territory, Brandon Webster-Mansfield released Neil Tchamambe for his 29th of the season.

Doncaster mounted a swift response through a long run by Luis Johnson, but failed to capitalize. London capitalized on the missed opportunity when PNG half-back Gairo Voro darted through a gap from dummy-half to score. Voro set up Tchamambe for his second try of the afternoon shortly after, extending London’s lead to 14-0.

The Dons managed to break through just before the break when Tom Holmes set up Watson Boas in the left corner, sending the sides into halftime with London holding a 14-6 lead.

Broncos centre Robert Mathias storming away for a try *(Image: Mediapac Sports)*

Doncaster pressed early in the second half, with winger Edene Gebbie bundled into touch just five meters out. But the momentum shifted permanently in the 53rd minute when London’s Connor O’Beirne reached out through a tackle to score.

From there, London dominated the final quarter as Robert Mathias took an offload from Voro after a turnover to run 20 meters for a score.

Luke Smith produced the highlight of the afternoon, breaking three tackles deep in his own half for a 70-meter solo try. Voro scored his second try of the match in the 66th minute on a diagonal run into the left corner. Epel Kapinias crossed from close range five minutes from time to cap the scoring, with Dean Hawkins adding the conversion to bring his personal tally to 10 points.

Tempers flared late in the match when Holmes was sin-binned in the 78th minute for a high tackle on Voro, prompting a brief confrontation between both sides.

The Broncos advance directly to the semifinal round scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 27, where their opponent will be determined by upcoming fixtures.

Doncaster remains in contention but moves to a sudden-death eliminator this weekend at Club Doncaster Sports Village against the Barrow Raiders, who advanced after eliminating the Sheffield Eagles.