London Broncos u19s 26 Warrington Wolves u19s 38

WARRINGTON Wolves under 19s returned from London Broncos with a victory on Sunday, despite not being at their best in the Academy clash.

Try doubles from Harvey Livett and Jack Johnson, as well as scores for Ben Stansfield, David Foggin-Johnston, Reece Brunt and James Jones sealed the win.

A topsy-turvy first half saw the lead change hands three times but an improved second half showing from Wolves enabled them to move clear and record an important win that keeps them in a great position in the league table.

Wolves opened the scoring in the first minute when a kick downfield on the last tackle by stand off Morgan Smith bounced awkwardly for the Broncos defence and centre Harvey Livett took advantage to collect and score wide out on the right.

Twelve minutes later London hit back when a high kick on the last tackle by scrum half Joe Keyes saw the ball bounce off the crossbar and into the gleeful arms of full back Alex Walker, who scored at the side of the posts. Keyes added the conversion.

Shortly afterwards Broncos increased their lead when the ball was sent out wide to impressive centre Tuoyo Egodo and he broke through the Wolves line and raced over at the side of the posts.

Keyes converted but just before the half hour mark Wolves had a scrum on the London 30 metre line and the ball was passed out to full back Jack Johnson, who linked into the line and stepped round the cover on an arcing run to score at the left of the posts. Livett added the conversion.

Right on the stroke of half time Wolves regained the lead when scrum half Harry Reardon put a high kick to the corner straight from a scrum and winger Ben Stansfield out jumped his opposite number to collect and score in the bright corner and make the half time score 14-12.

Four minutes into the second half Wolves had a scrum on the Broncos 10 metre line and Reardon found Johnson, who rounded the cover to score wide out on the right.

Livett converted but six minutes later Broncos pressure on the Wolves line was rewarded when the ball went out wide to Egodo and he bounced off two defenders to score in the left corner.

From the restart an error by the Broncos gave Wolves a scrum deep in their opponents’ half and Johnson once again linked into the line before sending winger David Foggin-Johnston away to score in the left corner.

Five minutes later a 60-metre break by Johnson put Wolves on the front foot and after a couple of good drives the ball reached second row Sam Wilde who put Livett over wide on the right.

Straight from the kick off Foggin-Johnson raced 60metres and a fine scoot from substitute Connor Adams put Wolves close to the line.

Loose forward Reece Brunt burrowed over from dummy half to score at the left of the posts but the Broncos refused to throw in the towel.

They hit back when great work close to the Wolves line saw them keep the ball alive and second row Matt Davis found centre Jordan Williams who forced his way over in the right corner.

A couple of minutes later a superb break by Broncos’ loose forward Sadiq Adebiyi was carried on by Davis and his inside ball put prop forward Ben Gray over at the right of the posts. Keyes converted to reduce the gap to just six points.

But Wolves’ nerves were calmed when Livett landed a 30 metre penalty goal after the Broncos were caught offside and three minutes from time Foggin-Johnston and centre Charlie Phythian were both held just short.

But a bullet pass from hooker Danny Hirst found second row James Jones at speed and he powered over wide out on the left to complete a hard fought 38-26 victory for the young Wolves.

Wolves: Jack Johnson; Ben Stansfield, Harvey Livett, Charlie Phythian, David Foggin-Johnston; Morgan Smith, Harry Reardon; Daniel Murray, Daniel Hirst, Pat Moran, Sam Wilde, James Jones, Nathan Ainsworth. Subs: Robert Holroyd, Connor Adams, Reece Brunt, Andy Philbin.