London Broncos head coach Joe Grima is adamant relegation will be a help not a hindrance after Warrington Wolves and Joel Monaghan put the final nail in their Super League coffin.
After 19 defeats from 19, Salford Red Devils' 35-22 victory over Hull FC on Saturday meant defeat against the Wolves would equal relegation -- and that's what happened.
Monaghan was the Broncos' tormentor in chief with four tries while there were also hat-tricks for both Ben Currie and Chris Hill in a 72-12 demolition at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
And while that was the Wolves' 10th straight win in all competitions, the Broncos are pointless having now lost all 20 of their games and are relegated with seven matches still to play.
London will now not be represented in the Super League either but head coach Grima, who replaced fellow Aussie Tony Rea in May, believes the Broncos have to take a step back to move two forward.
"Since I took over we have had a plan A and a plan B," said Grima. "We knew where we were and there were no false illusions by myself or the staff.
"It's been a tough 12 months with being on the brink of administration, losing players out of our squad only six players doing an off season and we recruited a squad of 31 players.
"We have been planning for relegation and the Championship. We will be starting again from scratch in the Championship and because we have been realistic it will be a benefit to us."
Warrington coach Tony Smith had little sympathy with London's plight.
"For the London club and for Super League it's a lesson to be learned. It shows you how not to get ready for a rugby league season," said Smith.
"London are paying the price for having a handful of players at the start of the season while the rest of us when were honing our skills and doing the hard work in November and December for a long and arduous contest.
"When you start the season with just a few players do you expect anything else? It didn't matter who was the coach it was a year for relegation and being so under prepared of course they were going to get their backsides kicked."
Warrington's win meant the top five sides were all victorious -- St Helens, Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers starting the trend of Friday before Wigan Warriors followed suit on Saturday.
The Warriors beat Catalan Dragons 37-16 in Perpignan with head coach Shaun Wane crediting a professional performance from his players.
"I'm very happy with our win. We didn't start well but in the second 20 minutes of the first half we completed [our sets] at 100 per cent and we ended up winning those 20 minutes 18-6," said Wane.
"That made my half-time team talk very simple. I thought we went about our business really well and very professionally."
Former St George coach Nathan Brown remains top of the Super League with his St Helens side who cruised to a 46-22 victory over Bradford Bulls on Friday.
Just two points separate St Helens at the top and surprise package Castleford in fifth and Saints head coach Brown expressed his fulfillment at remaining in the lead for another week.
"Our first 60 minutes I was quite happy with. Then we had a 15-minute period when we were not where we need to be," he said.
"But any time you win a game, you have got to take some satisfaction. Any time you are 40-0 up after 60 minutes, you can take some satisfaction."
Source: AFP
