Union Treiziste Catalane 28
defeated London Broncos 24

French Championship leaders Union Treiziste Catalane beat London Broncos 28-24 in St Esteve in a pre-season friendly for the Super League side.

Union Treiziste Catalane continued their preparations for life in Super League in 2006 with an impressive victory over London Broncos last night.

UTC, who will play as Perpignan in Super League XI, held off a Broncos fightback to record a famous 28-24 win in this pre-season friendly.

In a closely-contested match both sides ran in five tries in front a raucously partizan crowd of 3,000 in southern France.

UTC led 22-4 early in the second half before the Broncos battled back and almost seized a victory.

Winger John Kirkpatrick scored two tries for London, the other tries coming from three new signings - Lee Hopkins, Solomon Haumono and Nick Bradley-Qalilawa.

UTC are set to join the Super League as Perpignan for the 2006 season. Next up for London as they prepare for the start of Super League X is a friendly against champions Leeds Rhinos at Headingley on Tuesday.