Broncos off to a flying start

London Broncos ran in eight tries in their opening match of the season to defeat Batley Bulldogs 44-6 at Crawley to earn a Silk Cut Challenge Cup fourth round trip to Hull in the last 16.

Coach Tony Rea, chief executive when the side reached Wembley for the first time in 1999, was pleased with the way his new squad shaped up.

He said: "We were stronger at the end than when we started. The motors are OK although we were a bit one-paced at times - although that was down to the heavy pitch."

Broncos' tries came from Nigel Roy (2) and Tony Martin in the first half and Jim Dymock, Michael Gillett, Marvin Golden, Mat Toshack and club captain Steele Retchless after the break. Brett Warton kicked six conversions.