Stunning comeback sees Haven buck the Broncos

Haven trailed 16-0 after 25 minutes but managed to grab two converted tries just before the break to go into the sheds just four points behind. 

As far as second halves go, it was a masterclass from James Coyles’ men as the scored 24 unanswered points. 

Haven welcomed Jessie Joe Parker, who had served a four-match ban, and Richie Beaumont back to the starting line-up and the two certainly made their presences felt. 

Parker made a scoring return to the side as he picked up a second-half try and Beaumont, who was named as captain in Scott McAvoy’s stead, played almost an hour before being substituted, only to return to the field late to finish the game. 

It was all Haven at the start of the match as the Broncos gifted them possession with knock-ons and penalties but Coyle’s side were unable to capitalise. 

Grant Gore kicked the ball out on the full as he tried to secure field position and his error led to London’s first try, on their first foray into Haven’s half. 

The Broncos had a scrum on their 40 metre line and a few tackles later found themselves in Haven’s half. They then found an overlap on their left-hand side and Wilkes, who made a break, passed inside to Ben Hellewell for the opening score.

Just five minutes later the Broncos forced a goal line drop-out and then added to their tally as Elliott Minchella was the fortunate recipient of a kick which bounced off Dion Aiye giving him an easy run-in from five metres out.

London then went 16-0 up as William Barthau broke through the line. Haven may well have been down and out but three consecutive penalties gave them some much-needed field position and James Newton dived for the line from dummy-half after some good work from the Haven pack.

With less than a minute to go until half-time Haven were awarded a brace of penalties in front of the posts but, rather than taking the two points, they opted to tap and go for the line. 

They were rewarded for their optimism and Ben Davies crashed over from dummy-half to score and Ed Chamberlain converted for a 16-12 scoreline at the break. 

It took Haven 16 minutes to add to their tally in the second half but they did so through Parker who made the most of a mix-up in London’s defence. 

Aiye chipped a ball to the corner on the last and Craig Calvert contested the loose ball with London winger Iliess Macani, the ball then popped out and Parker popped it down over the line and Ed Chamberlain converted from the touchline to put Haven ahead for the first time. 

It was a lead they wouldn’t give up and London never looked like threatening a comeback. Parker then set up Newton for his second try 10 minutes later after being played through a gap by Aiye and soon after Tyla Hepi was sent over by Gore and the Kiwi crashed over the line to help put Haven 30-16 ahead. 

Things went from bad to worse for the Broncos as Johnny Walker, playing against his former club, was sent to the sin-bin for throwing a punch at Chris Taylor. 

With the man advantage Haven extended their lead through Connor Holliday. The centre, making his first appearance since May, was sent over on the left-hand side as Haven found numbers and he touched down to put Haven 34-16 up. 

Stephen Fox scored his first try for Haven after plucking a London offload out of mid-air and running in from 20 metres out and Chamberlain converted to give Haven a 40-16 lead.

Match Facts

Haven: Chamberlain, Burns, Taylor, Parker, Calvert; Aiye, Gore; Beaumont, Newton, Ancely, Brooks, Hepi, Davies. Subs: Chapelhow, Fox, Holliday, Griffiths.

Tries: Newton 2, Davies, Parker, Hepi, Holliday, Fox.

Goals: Chamberlain 6/7.

London: Kear, Williams, Hellewell, Naiqama, Macani; Barthau, Keyes; Walker, Henderson, Riley, Garside, Minchella, Wicks. Subs: Cunningham, Davies, Wallace, Everett.

Tries: Hellewell, Minchella, Barthau.

Goals: Naiqama 2/4.

Sin bin: Walker. 

Half-time: 12-16. 

Attendance: 783. 

Referee: Gareth Hewer.

Star man: James Newton.