Rugby League: Lagos Haven Prove Title Credentials With Broncos Evisceration

Lagos Haven delivered another reminder of their title credentials with a brutally dominant masterclass against Lagos Broncos in week 2 of the 2020-21 Nigeria Rugby League season.

The Southern Conference leaders put on a brilliant attacking display to eviscerate Broncos 44-0 in a heavily one-sided affair at Eagles Square on Saturday.

It was a second straight win for Haven who have started the season like a house on fire following their 30-10 victory against Lagos Rhinos on the opening weekend.

Whereas Rhinos breached Haven’s lines to get on the scoreboard, Saturday’s victims, Broncos were completely outclassed and outplayed and looked utterly incapable of finding answers to the relentless onslaught.

Kiki Stephens added to his three tries on the opening weekend with another two tries for Haven on Saturday, Daniel John scored three tries, Tom Ezekiel added two tries with Lateef Olamide and Austin Thomas adding one try apiece. Olamide also weighed in with four conversions.

Lagos Haven have now won their first two games by a cumulative score of 74-10.

The win cements Haven’s lead on top of the Southern League standings and maintains their one hundred per cent start to the season. They have four points from two wins, while Broncos’ first loss of the season sees them drop to third on the five-team table.

The day’s second game was a decidedly more competitive affair with Kings eventually prevailing over Eko Trinity 40-36.

Trinity had received a bye on the opening weekend and showed signs of rustiness against Kings who bounced back from defeat to Lagos Broncos on the opening weekend to record their first win of the campaign.

Kehinde Atere starred for Kings, scoring a game-high 5 tries and two conversions, with Izuchukwu Nwaire adding one try and three conversions.

Monday Henry scored two of Trinity’s tries and added two conversions with Timothy Oloyede and Mufliu Yakubu scoring one try apiece while Stephen James also weighed in with one conversion.

Kings move up to second in the Southern Conference, level on points with Broncos but with a superior points difference while Trinity and Lagos Rhinos who have yet to win a match bring up the rear.

The 2021 Nigeria Rugby League champions will emerge from play-offs featuring the top two teams in the Southern and Northern Conferences.

There are currently five teams in the Southern Conference and four in the Northern Conference which is yet to kickoff.