BOLTON - A late try by Ade Gardner handed St Helens an 18-14 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge at the Reebok Stadium today.
The Saints fought back from 8-0 down to overhaul the National Rugby League premiers in Bolton, England.
Brisbane raced toa 6-0 lead in the first 10 minutes when Saints winger Gardner fumbled the near his own tryline and Corey Parker gathered the ball cleanly, scrambling over the remaining few metres for a try, which he then converted.
Parker capitalised a short time later when Matt Gidley was penalised for lifting to make it 8-0 to the visitors.
The Broncos' defence withstood some constant pressure and it wasn't until the last minute of the first half that the Super League champions hit back with a try to Gardner, converted by Paul Sculthorpe to close the gap to just two points at the break.
A cross-kick from Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer found Darius Boyd, who ran over for a try two minutes after the re-start.
But the crowd of 23,207 erupted in a roar as the Saints drew level at 12-12 when Sculthorpe converted his own try midway through the second half.
Brisbane secured the lead again when former Newcastle and Australian Test centre Gidley was penalised for a high tackle and Parker slotted home from 28 metres.
The home side hit the front for the first time when a high kick from Sean Long found Gardner, who caught the ball and flew over for his second try in one fluid movement.
Sculthorpe's conversion made it 18-14 and the Broncos couldn't find a way back in the final minutes.
