Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 2728814, member: 1899"] WORLD CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP BRISBANE 22;WIGAN 8 at Central Park, Wigan Brisbane added instant credibility to the concept of the World Club Challenge when they became the first Australian club side to defeat a British team in a Challenge match. More than a month after winning their inaugural Winfield Cup, the Broncos became world beaters when they downed Wigan 22-8 at Central Park. In a match that was at time fiery, the Broncos showed far better organisation in attack and more discipline in defence against a Wigan side laced with 11 internationals. The game began in a heavy fog, created by a fireworks display and a still Wigan night. And the fireworks weren’t confined to the pre-game entertainment, with most players from both sides engaged in a violent brawl in the opening minutes of play. Broncos prop Andrew Gee was cautioned for his part in the drama. Wigan five-eighth Frano Botica landed a sixth-minute penalty goal for a 2-0 lead, but it was the Broncos who posted the first try. Exciting Brisbane fullback Julian O’Neill ran into the backline from a scrum win in the 17[SUP]th[/SUP] minute, beat oppose fullback Andre Soop and crossed out wide. Lock Terry Matterson converted from the sideline. Brisbane were in again just six minutes later when Matterson beat Phil Clarke with a dummy and linked with Steve Renouf, who stepped infield, passed to Mark Hohn, who sent Kerrod Walters on a 25-metre charge to the tryline. The two tries in double-quick time gave Brisbane the confidence they needed to control the match and they never looked likely to relax their grip from that point. Two minutes before the break, Michael Hancock looked set to increase his team’s lead but a desperate tackle from Stoop forced Hancock into touch. But the Test winger wasn’t to be denied. He scored six minutes after halftime, with Matterson again the creative force. Matterson put Kevin Walters into a gap and Renouf handled before Hancock crossed. Wigan hit back midway through the second half when halfback Shaun Edwards scored a determined try after chasing firstly Martin Dermott’s kick and then his own, to beat O’Neill to the ball. But Brisbane sealed their historic victory eight minutes from the end when Hancock scored his second try after good lead-up from Willie Carne and Wembley hero Renouf. The Broncos succeeded where other Australian clubs, Manly, Canberra and Penrith had failed, being able to lift themselves again after the grand final climax. “Games like these are always difficult,” coach Wayne Bennett told Rugby League Week. “There is a lot at stake in some ways, but for us it was an anti-climax to the events of September. I know how professional we are, and that we’d give it our all. But how our combination and condition would be after such a long lay off was my biggest fear, I thought tonight we were terrific – absolutely terrific.” Brisbane 22 (Hancock 2, O’Neil, Walters tries; Matterson 3 goals) defeated Wigan (Edwards try, Botica 2 goals) Brisbane Julian O’Neil, Michael Hancock, Steve Renouf, Chris Johns, Willie Carne Kevin Walters, Allan Langer Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Andrew Gee, Trevor Gillmeister, Mark Hohn, Terry Matterson. Interchange: John Plath, Tony Currie, Brett Plowman, Peter Ryan Wigan Andre Stoop, Jason Robinson, Dean Bell, Andrew Farrar, Martin Offiah Frano Botica, Shaun Edwards Kelvin Skerrett, Martin Dermott, Andy Platts, Denis Betts, Billy McGinty, Phil Clarke Interchange: Ian Lucas, Neil Cowie, Sam Panapa, Martin Crompton [/QUOTE]

Verification

Active Now

No members online now.

Total: 29 (members: 0, guests: 29)

Reply to thread

Log in

Active Now