Great for the
game in London says Rea

London Broncos are expecting a healthy crowd on Friday night for the visit of the unbeaten Leeds Rhinos for the round nine Tetley's Super League home clash at Griffin Park.

Ticket sales have been very buoyant according to Broncos CEO Nic Cartwright: "It's definitely going to be our best crowd so far this season as you would expect. There are some areas sold out in advance and this is always a good indicator."

After Tuesday's home draw to Wigan, the Rhinos remain the only team unbeaten so far in the league. The last top of the table team to visit Griffin Park with an unbeaten record was Bradford in round six in 2002.

It was a 70th-minute drop goal from Dennis Moran that ended Bradford Bulls' unbeaten Super League record and earned London a notable double in a tense encounter at Griffin Park. The champions were beaten just 10 days after St Helens were trounced 40-6 at Brentford to suffer their first Super League defeat of the season.

The 2003 season for London is yet to provide such 'home' glory and this Friday Tony Rea's men will be searching for their first home win for the season. Three wins from four away from home, have kept the Broncos in the Super League race.

Rea is excited about what to expect on Friday: "These games can really be a great advert for the game down here. There is a very good vibe about the club and we all look forward to playing in front of our own fans again, having been away for a month."

Leeds are a quality side, we're a quality side, and those who do get to the game will see a very good contest. We've had a good week in training coming off a good result last weekend and the players are itching to perform back at home."

London will retain the same team that won at Huddersfield and have added prop forward Richard Marshall to a five-man bench. Marshall comes back from a foot injury that has seen him miss the past two games.

The team includes two Leeds Rhinos Academy players, Austin Buchanan and Damien Kennedy, both of whom have extended their loan period with London for one month.

Discounted tickets when bought in advance for the London v Leeds game can be obtained by calling 0871 222 1657 before 8.30pm on Thursday night. Adult tickets start at ?10. Kick off is at 8pm. Pre-match entertainment commences at 7.30pm.

In other news:

This weekend also sees the first ever London women's rugby league tournament. Four teams will participate including Kingston Warriors, North London Skolars, South London Storm and the RAF. This comes on the back of last year's successful London Broncos Women's team which will continue to run at the end of the season to form a representative side.

The tournament will be played in 9's format and will kick off from 12.00pm at New River Stadium before the London Skolars v Barrow game (k/o 3pm). London Broncos winger, Dom Peters is highly likely to play on Sunday for the Skolars after an impressive performance in last week's away draw at York.

London Broncos following home game (after Leeds on Friday) against Widnes will be played on the road at Aberavon RUFC on Sunday 8th June.

London Broncos team to play Leeds:

Nigel Roy, Andrew King, Tony Martin, Rob Jackson, Austin Buchanan, Rob Purdham, Dennis Moran, Steele Retchless, Bill Peden, Russell Bawden, Mat Toshack, Damien Kennedy, Jim Dymock ? Subs: Fancis Stephenson, Steve Hall, Chris Thorman, Neil Budworth, Richard Marshall (one to be omitted)

Missing:

Peters (Skolars on loan), Sykes, Hetherington, Cox, Haughey, Hamilton

Ends

London Broncos RLFC Press Office Direct Line: 020 8897 5383 Mobile: 07990 573 089 www.londonbroncos.co.uk