We look ahead to Saturday's Super League game
LONDON BRONCOS v WARRINGTON WOLVESSaturday June 8 2013
Super League
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Kick-off: 3.00pm
N.B - The main game will be preceded by an under-19 fixture between the two sides which kicks off at 12.30pm
This weekend’s fixture, Round 18 in the Super League season, sees bottom of the table Broncos entertaining the third-place Wolves here at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
Warrington, who are currently six points behind leaders Wigan Warriors, have won 11 and drawn one of their previous 17 games this season scoring 538 points. In the same amount of games the Broncos have won three and drawn two gleaning 299 points.
The London side's wins have come at home against St Helens (21-14) and on their travels at Castleford Tigers (26-12) and Salford City Reds (38-4). The two draws were also at home against Castleford and Hull FC.
LAST WEEKEND - LONDON
Last Saturday the Broncos looked like gaining their fourth victory of the season against the Castleford Tigers but relinquished a 14 point lead with just 10 minutes remaining to draw 30-30 in front of a Stoop crowd of 1,810.
The Broncos went over for five tries through James Mendeika, Scott Wheeldon, Chris Melling, Chris Bailey and Craig Gower while Michael Witt kicked five goals.
Following the game London coach Tony Rea (above) was not down-hearted, he said "I was delighted with our effort and we were fantastic all the way through. I don't think anyone can say we were ever safe in that game and we always had to work hard.”
This was the first game since Craig Gower formally stood down as captain of the Broncos to be replaced by Gravesend-born forward Tony Clubb.
Since this decision was made the club have announced that 35-year-old Gower is to leave the club by mutual consent and return to Australia for personal reasons. It has been reported that the halfback is in talks with NRL side Newcastle Knights.
LAST WEEKEND - WARRINGTON
Meanwhile, the following day, Wolves ran out easy winners over second-bottom Salford City Reds at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, by a 68-10 margin.
During the rout the home side ran in a dozen tries with England international Ben Westwood registering a hat-trick which included the second-row forward’s 100th try for the Wire.
Tony Smith - Warrington head coach
Wolves head coach Tony Smith said afterwards "It was a pretty complete performance. We were very committed.”
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
There have been 38 games between the two sides over the years with the Broncos having won 17 compared to Wolves 21, these games have averaged 51.5 points per game.
Amongst the big scores previously, the Broncos have won 62-18 (August 2012) and 60-8 (March 2009) while their heaviest loss against the Cheshire club was 82-6 in March 2011.
EARLIER THIS SEASON
The game at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on April 1 saw Warrington easing to a comfortable 54-20 victory in front of a 9,681 crowd.
It was a close encounter for around an hour with London’s Kieran Dixon scoring a hat-trick of first-half tries but unfortunately the visitors faded late on and the Wolves ran in for five late tries. Broncos had the final word however as debutant Erjon Dollapi crossed for a try on the hooter.
ENGLAND CALL-UPS
Warrington Wolves players Chris Hill, Adrian Morley, Richie Myler and Ben Westwood have all been selected in Steve McNamara’s England squad for the International Origin fixture against the Exiles, made up from overseas players in the Super League, next weekend.
TEAM NEWS
Team news will be announced following the usual Broncos pre-match press conference this afternoon.