Dual Registration Report: Cornwall beat Newcastle Thunder
Jake Watson • 24 March 2025
CORNWALL RLFC 32
NEWCASTLE THUNDER 22
By GARETH DAVIES, Memorial Ground
THE battle of League 1’s most remote outpost clubs went the way of the home side, as they eased aside a Thunder outfit without a win since 2023.
Although the final margin of victory was just 10 points, the game was as good as up for Newcastle when Australian centre Kye Jacobsen, making his Cornwall debut, finished with ease 25 minutes from time.
However, a combination of Newcastle resilience and Cornwall going away from the basics that had served them so well, led to a late points flurry from the visitors, which included two converted tries in the final eight minutes.
Playing down the fabled Memorial Ground slope in the opening 40, Cornwall saw prop forward Matt Ross, playing under dual-registration from London Broncos, held up over the line in their first attacking set.
Such was Cornwall’s dominance, every play the ball during the opening six minutes came in the Newcastle half. Twice the home side’s outstanding half back Adam Rusling almost played in winger Henry Symons out wide, but a combination of staunch Thunder defending and a loose final pass saw the deadlock remain unbroken.
Very much against the run of play, it was Thunder who capitalised on Cornwall letting a drop out find touch, to score first.
A kick in behind was gathered by Charlie Yeomans who successfully touched down, with Alex Donaghy tacking on the extra two.
The lead didn’t last long, though, with Rusling creating further opportunities, two of which were taken by rangy winger Symons in the far left corner.
The first was a straightforward touchdown after a flowing move, with the second coming from a deft grubber.
Rusling couldn’t convert either of Symons’ efforts, but Cornwall were in charge and bar the final exchanges, they were completely dominant.
Former Hull Kingston Rovers prospect Rusling thought he had a try of his own after 25 minutes, but referee Adam Williams pulled play back for a double movement.
Cornwall didn’t have to wait long for their third of the afternoon and it came from prop Sam Winney, who powered onto a short ball to crash over and Rusling made it into a six-point score.
Hooker Nathan Conroy, who ran riot against Newcastle in both games last term, then scampered over from dummy half and with Rusling kicking the extras, Cornwall had opened up a three-score lead.
Despite playing against the conditions in the second stanza, Cornwall continued on the front foot, with Llewellyn scoring an opportunist effort from dummy-half after 49 minutes, as the Newcastle defence went to sleep.
Six minutes later and Cornwall bagged another score as quick hands saw Jacobsen cut through to dot down. Rusling’s conversion hoisted the Choughs over the 30-point mark, with Newcastle on the ropes.
But the visitors rallied and Donaghy, the stand out Thunder player, snuck in out wide despite the attentions of Llewellyn, to stop the home momentum.
Cornwall were then guilty of errors and they couldn’t add to their tally with Newcastle finishing on the front foot.
Giant lock Harry Lowery powered over under the posts before the game’s only real flashpoint came with time ticking down.
Llewellyn took exception to Rusling’s rough treatment at the play the ball, with players coming from all corners to rush in.
Handbags ensued and when the dust had settled, Cornwall were penalised and Newcastle scored again through Donaghy, but it could not spoil the hosts party.
GAMEBREAKER: Brad Llewellyn’s opportunist try nine minutes into the second half saw Cornwall break visibly Newcastle’s resolve.
GAMESTAR: Cornwall full-back Brad Llewellyn was simply outstanding in both attack and defence for the Choughs.
MATCHFACTS
CORNWALL
6 Brad Llewellyn
5 Keenan Dyer-Dixon
16 Decarlo Trerise
24 Kye Jacobson
21 Henry Symons
27 Ben Dean
25 Adam Rusling
18 Matt Ross
26 Nathan Conroy
20 Sam Winney
13 David Weetman
12 Darcy Simpson
11 Elijah Simpson
Subs (all used)
22 Jake Lloyd
17 Josh Rhodes
10 Harry Boots
19 Jamie Jenkins
Tries: Symons (13,21), Winney (26), Conroy (38), Llewellyn (50), Jacobsen (55)
Goals: Rusling 4/6
THUNDER
1 Alex Donaghy
2 Mac Walsh
3 Michael Hanson
5 Sean Croston
4 Jake Dickinson
6 Charlie Yeomans
7 Elliott Shaw
X Harry Price
9 Will Linton
18 Josh Stoker
11 Alex Taylor
12 Jacob Bateman
10 Harry Lowery
Subs (all used)
14 Tom Siddle
15 George Birch
16 Lloyd Hall
17 Jamie Gill
Tries: Yeomans (12), Donaghy (60,78), Lowery 72
Goals: Donaghy ¾
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Cornwall RLFC: Brad Llewellyn, Newcastle Thunder: Alex Donaghy
Half-time: 20-6
Referee: Adam Williams
Attendance: N/A
Scoring sequence: 0-6, 4-6, 8-6, 14-6, 20-6; 26-6, 32-6, 32-10, 32-16, 32-22
MATCH GALLERY: Barrow Raiders 24-6 London Broncos You can now take a look through the best images from an ultimately disappointing afternoon for London Broncos in Cumbria. On a wet and windy afternoon in Barrow it was the home side who would take the two points. PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Miller #WeAreLondon
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Barrow Raiders vs London Broncos You can now watch back the highlights from the Round 7 Championship clash with Barrow Raiders at Craven Park. #WeAreLondon
POST MATCH REACTION: Barrow defeat Mike Eccles has said "things will get better" following the Championship defeat to Barrow this afternoon. It was a third consecutive defeat for the Broncos as they continue to up against the odds with a very small squad and a number of players involved in Championship rugby for the first time in their careers. Barrow would win 24-6 in wet and windy Cumbria and Mike Eccles praised the opponents for the way they handled the conditions. You can watch the full post-match interview with Mike below. #WeAreLondon
TEAM NEWS: Barrow Raiders vs London Broncos Just one change from the 17 that started last week as Louix Gorman replaces Aaron Small who is unavailable this week. Gorman joins from Hull KR and is a 20-year-old centre who made his Super League debut against Wigan Warriors in 2023. Ted Davidson returns to the matchday squad and is named as 18th man. #WeAreLondon
MATCH PREVIEW: Barrow Raiders vs London Broncos London Broncos have their longest away trip on UK soil this week as they make the trip up to Cumbria to take on Barrow Raiders. Broncos have lost their last two games and last three away games so will be looking to bounce back with a win on Good Friday. Mike Eccles’ side were a matter of seconds away from victory against Batley Bulldogs at The Cherry Red Records but suffered heartbreak as Alfie Dean scored in the final play to send the Bulldogs back to West Yorkshire with the points. Barrow have enjoyed a good start to the season and come into this game off the back of a good win at Widnes Vikings with a 37-12 win. It means in the early stages of the season after 6 games the Raiders have won 4 and currently sit in 4th place.
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Barrow Raiders vs London Broncos Mike Eccles has named his squad to face Barrow Raiders in Round 7 of the Championship season. There are three changes to the group that faced Batley Bulldogs last weekend as Ted Davidson returns to the squad and Louix Gorman joins up from Hull KR and is named. Meanwhile, Aaron Small is unavailable so drops out. Gorman is a centre who made his Super League debut in 2023 against Wigan Warriors and has Championship experience previously playing on loan at Featherstone Rovers. The squad in full is below. #WeAreLondon
A message from London Broncos Women Dear Broncos Community, We’re excited to share an important update with you. Going forward, we will be changing our name from London Broncos Ladies to London Broncos Women.
SUPPORT BRONCOS ONLINE! London Broncos, like every professional Rugby League club, now operate under the IMG grading criteria which see's clubs attain a score through 5 different categories. 1. Fandom 2. Community 3. Stadium 4. Finances 5. Performance By supporting us online this will contribute to our 'Fandom' score which represents 25% of the total grade. In terms of the social media numbers, in 2025 the bar for the respective scores were raised with the reward lowered which means the importance of all of our fans engaging with all of our content is more important than ever. If you use any of the below platforms please do follow London Broncos are make every effort to engage with each post as we look to improve our IMG score once again in 2025. FOLLOW US ON "X" FOLLOW US ON "INSTAGRAM" FOLLOW US ON "FACEBOOK" FOLLOW US ON "YOUTUBE" FOLLOW US ON "TIKTOK " #WeAreLondon
NYCDA Weekly Draw winners for Week 47 The rollover this week is £500 and remember it can reach up to a life changing £10,000!! To learn more about the London Rugby league Foundation and how to support it - CLICK HERE! Please see listed below the full list of NYCDA Weekly Draw winners for this week’s draw: #WeAreLondon
NEXT HOME GAME! Tickets on sale. On Saturday, May 3rd we return to action at The Cherry Red Records Stadium as we welcome York Knights to SW17. Mike Eccles' side will be looking to return to winning ways on home soil after a heartbreaking last minute defeat to Batley in the previous home fixture. Tickets for the game are priced at; Broncos Bar - £35 Adult - £20 Concession - £15 Kids - £5 BUY FROM HERE! We have welcomed back Dean Parata and Tony Rea so far this season into the 'Legends Lounge' and we will soon announce who is returning for the upcoming game against York. You can book your spot in the 'Legends Lounge' for all games this season from this LINK! #WeAreLondon
