London Broncos 42 Castleford Tigers 16: Gower on song as Broncos bounce back

By Sportsmail Reporter

Published: 12:31 EST, 10 March 2012 | Updated: 13:24 EST, 10 March 2012

Craig Gower guided the London Broncos to their first win of the Super League season as they ran in eight tries to beat Castleford.

Gower grabbed a try and, with the game still in the balance during the second half, created a crucial late score for Jason Golden.

David Howell crossed twice for the Broncos with his opening score complimented by tries from Gower, Chris Bailey and Matt Cook in the first half.

Castleford remained in touch though with Nick Youngquest and Kirk Dixon going over and when Ryan McGoldrick dotted down early in the second half the game was up for grabs.

Dan Sarginson gave the hosts breathing space on the hour before Gower sent over Golden to break Castleford's resistence as late tries from Chris Melling and Howell blew out the winning margin.

For the Tigers it was a fifth defeat in six as they struggle to get their own season up and running.

The Broncos mixed things up as they looked to end their dismal start to the campaign, with Sarginson, Tony Clubb and Karl Temata all returning from injury.

For Castleford there was a recall for prop Jonathan Walker as they aimed to bounce back from last weekend's loss to Leeds.

The Londoners, still smarting from last week's drubbing at Salford, started the brighter, forcing the Tigers on to the back foot.

And it was the hosts who took a deserved lead on six minutes, a Chad Randall miss-pass carving open a huge gap for Howell to stride through and touch down. Randall turned provider again moments later, charging down a Danny Orr kick before seizing on the loose ball and feeding Bailey for a clear run to the line.

The home side were to shoot themselves in the foot right from the restart though, Antonio Kaufusi coughing up the ball near his own line, with Youngquest darting over in the corner to get the Tigers on the board.

There was plenty of enterprise and gusto coming from both sides, with a high-scoring encounter looking on the cards very early on.

Castleford came mightily close to levelling before the 20-minute mark, Jake Emmitt spilling as he attempted to ground the ball, only for Liam Colbon to knock on with the line at his mercy for the hosts moments later.

There was no such mistake from the visitors on 22 minutes, a short Rangi Chase pass seeing Dixon crash through some weak tackling and cross at the sticks.

Youngquest looked like he might be in for his second shortly afterwards, only for a last-ditch tackle from Luke Dorn to save the day.

That proved vital on the half-hour mark as the Broncos regained the lead, Gower bursting through a gap from close range to touch down.

Even better was to come before the break for the hosts, Cook stretching over after Dorn had snaffled a booming Michael Witt kick.

The visitors came out fired up after the restart and were quick to come up with a try of their own, poor defence out wide allowing McGoldrick to cross with ease.

The game was there for the taking for either side, with both having further try-scoring opportunities in the next 10 minutes repelled by strong defence.

The Londoners took a grip of sorts on the contest on the hour-mark, Sarginson showing great strength to force his way over after Michael Robertson had touched back Witt's kick.

That lead became 16 points when Gower charged through a gap before offloading for Golden to stroll home for a decisive score.

Further late scores from Melling and Howell added the gloss to an eight-try display.