London Broncos booked a Silk Cut Challenge fifth round home tie against Hull with a brilliant 44-6 win over Northern Premiership side Batley on Sunday.

The match was played at Crawley because of Charlton's home game with Newcastle but the Broncos, sporting their new-look kit and playing their first competitive match of the season, showed a style in stark contrast to many disappointing displays last season.

Coach Tony Rea was impressed by his team's rock-solid defence. He said: “Most people get excited about colourful attacking rugby league, but this side's defence really excites me.”

Broncos opened the scoring on two minutes when Steele Retchless, Jason Hetherington and Shane Millard created an opening for new boy and ex-Northern Eagle Nigel Roy to cross for a try. It was a lead the Broncos extended on ten minutes when former Aussie international and new signing Jim Dymock flicked a back pass inside to Tony Martin to dive over. Brett Warton kicked one of his six conversions.

Roy then barged over the line on the half-hour following good play from Dymock to give Broncos an 18-0 half-time lead.

The Bulldogs held on until six minutes into the second period before conceding a fourth try. Jim Dymock added his name to the list of scorers following excellent work by replacement Jon Clarke,

The Bulldogs were rewarded for their efforts on 50 minutes when Glen Tomlinson's kick caught Roy napping and Will Cartledge scooped up the loose ball to score.

Feisty new signing Denis Moran found his new half-back partner Mick Gillett for his first try in Broncos colours and then Marvin Golden and man of the match Steele Retchless added further tries as the Broncos ran out easy winners.

The Broncos first Super League game of the new season is against Leeds on Saturday, March 3, at The Valley. Call the box office on 020 8853 8815.