MATCH REPORT: London Broncos 14-12 Featherstone Rovers
Jake Watson • 23 February 2025
MATCH REPORT: London Broncos 14-12 Featherstone Rovers
London Broncos started their 2025 home campaign with two points after an outstanding defensive display against one of the top sides in the division.
Like Bradford Bulls, who Broncos faced in gameweek one, Featherstone are fancied to challenge at the top end of the Championship this season so was always going to provide a stern test for Mike Eccles side.
Despite failing to pick up the win against the Bulls there would have been huge positivity taken from the performance that would give fans a degree of expectancy this afternoon which perhaps wasn’t there when the fixtures were announced.
That expectancy took an almost immediate knock as Broncos spilled the ball from the kick-off and Featherstone instantly had a set in front of the Broncos try line. It was an unfortunate start to say the least as Thomas Lacans wriggled over to give the visitors the lead after no more than a couple of minutes. Callum Turner added the extras and it was 0-6.
How Broncos would react to that knock back would be telling as the group are still so green in their development. But as is typical with a team coached under Mike Eccles they would stand firm and the game would begin to settle. Rovers would have the majority of the ball but Broncos were strong in defence and looked dangerous when given the opportunity to attack.
Liam Tindall signed permanently during the week and admitted in the post-match press conference he is still learning his teammates names! However, he was more familiar with where the tryline was. The ball swept across to the left-hand side as Tindall collected the ball around 10 metres out and he escaped the attention of the two tackles to get the ball down. Hellec’s conversion was from the touchline and was unsuccessful. 4-6 Rovers.
That try gave the Broncos a huge lift and the ascendancy was now fully with the home side. A Walker kick was lofted high and Huw Worthington did brilliantly to collect before offloading to Davies who passed to O’Beirne. The counter attack was swift and decisive as O’Beirne looped a pass over a head to Tindall who raced away to score twice in three minutes. Hellec’s kick was in an identical position and in challenging conditions it unsurprisingly went wide. Broncos 8-6.
For the second time in a row the Broncos would lead at the break. Not just a physical test for next 40 minutes but also psychological to stay in front,
The following 40 took a similar pattern with Featherstone dominating field position and possession without being able to break a staunch Broncos defence. As time went on you got the feeling that Featherstone were running out of ideas as to getting over the line.
That changed in the 70th minute as the opportunity was giftwrapped to the visitors as Broncos looked to score from a rare good ball set a loose pass from O’Beirne was intercepted by Carlos Tuimavave who ran 80 minutes to score under the posts. Rovers now in front and impending heartbreak once again, perhaps. 8-12 Rovers.
Now with it all to do the Broncos began to push for that score, which perhaps they hadn’t had the incentive to do prior to that Tuimavave score. They looked dangerous and Bienek came charging through and as he went past once tackle you almost expected the big prop to go flying over the line but he was somehow stopped a yard short.
But with three minutes remaining Tayor Kerr would cap a brilliant personal performance and score the try. The youngster on loan from Wigan had only had two training sessions with his new teammates but has clearly settled very well as he linked up play from hooker or loose throughout the course of his time on the pitch. He picked up and darted for the line from dummy half and Hellec held his nerve to add the extras and seal the win. Broncos 14-12.
BRONCOS: Walker, Thewlis, Small, Hellec, Tindall, Polselli, O’Beirne, McDermott, Davies, Bienek, Lovell, Adebiyi, Stock. INTERCHANGES: Monk, Worthington, Mason & Kerr
Tries: Tindall x2, Kerr
Conversions: Hellec 1/3
CHALLENGE CUP FINAL TICKETS!! It is now just 1 MONTH TO GO until the 2025 Challenge Cup final takes place at Wembley Stadium. Set to once again be one of the showpiece days in the Rugby League calendar we are incredibly lucky to have this game take place so close to us. Tickets for this game can be bought through the club and we ask that any London Broncos fan intending on attending to buy through the official club channel. This will ensure Broncos fans will be sat in close attendance to each other. Click the BUTTON below to buy now. #WeAreLondon
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KIDS GO FREE!! London Broncos vs Sheffield Eagles London Broncos welcome Sheffield Eagles to Rosslyn Park FC on Sunday in Round 10 of the Championship season and are offering FREE tickets to all under 18's. With the game not being played at our usual home of AFC Wimbledon we are delighted to offer FREE tickets to kids to help promote the sport of Rugby League to the local area. Meanwhile, tickets for Adults and Concessions are also priced at a reduced rate of £15 and £10 respectively. Get your tickets from the BUTTON below.
THE BIG DEBATE: 10O Men or 1 Gorilla? The big question which has gone viral over the last week on the internet is the question; Who would win in a fight? 100 men or 1 Gorilla? We asked some of the London Broncos first team players what they thought... #WeAreLondon
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LONDON BRONCOS V YORK CITY KNIGHTS (by David Ballheimer) London Broncos (6) 6, York City Knights (10) 36 London Broncos conceded four tries in 18 early second-half minutes which allowed York RL Knights to run away with the game at a cold and blowy Cherry Red Records stadium. The dismal chill that developed through the early evening was rather indicative of the London performance. It all seemed very different in bright warm sunshine during the opening exchanges, and it was the Broncos who scored first, in the eighth minute. The possession went almost 100 metres starting with an excellent kick return by Chris Hellec. A penalty late in the possession essentially gave a repeat set, starting five metres from the York line and, a few tackles later, the ball was fed to the left wing, where Liam Tindall was able to squeeze over in the corner. Hellec’s conversion from the touchline was superb.
'LEGENDS LOUNGE' WITH LONDON BRONCOS Enjoy a matchday with London Broncos with the ultimate gameday experience in the 'Legends Lounge'. Watch the game from the best seat in the house and enjoy a hot pre-match meal with your own dedicated bar. With a drink on arrival and half-time teas and coffees you are also treated to an opportunity to meet a Broncos legend. On Saturday, May 3rd we welcomed former player Dave Williams to The Cherry Red Records Stadium where he spoke about his time in the club and why he is so passionate about the sport in London.
MATCH SPONSORS RESILIENT ROOFING Thank you very much to Resilient Roofing who were our big match sponsors for the game against York Knights on May 3rd. As part of their matchday experience the team enjoyed an afternoon at The Cherry Red Records Stadium with their own private box with dedicated hospitality. To find out more about Resilient Roofing - CLICK HERE!
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: London Broncos vs York Knights You can now watch back extended highlights from the Round 9 Championship clash between London Broncos and York Knights at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. #WeAreLondon
MATCH GALLERY: London Broncos vs York Knights You can now take a look through the best images from Saturday's Championship clash with York Knights at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. We would welcome back Dave Williams as our special guest in the Legends Lounge and we thank our Match Sponsors Resilient Roofing for their support. #WeAreLondon
