MATCH REPORT: London Broncos 26-6 Hunslet RLFC
Jake Watson • 30 March 2025
LONDON BRONCOS V HUNSLET (by David Ballheimer)
London Broncos (16) 26, Hunslet (0) 6
London Broncos produced one of their most dominant defensive performances in recent memory as they beat Hunslet at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday night. Such was London’s control of the ruck that the Yorkshiremen had only one attack on the London line, and they turned over the ball-carrier before he could ground the ball.
At the other end, Hunslet could not cope with the power and strength of London’s ball-carriers. The Broncos made a great start, scoring on their second possession, courtesy of Marcus Stock, who found a way through three tacklers before stretching over the line and grounding the ball. Most of the credit, however, belonged to Huw Worthington, who charged 35 metres downfield returning a kick.
Four minutes later, Stock turned provider, turning in a tackle and sending Luke Polselli over. The half-back was able to run behind the posts to make Chris Hellec’s second conversion even easier than his first.
The Parksiders finally carried the ball in London territory in the 17th minute, but their last-tackle kick sailed into the seats on the full. Their next possession was given the benefit of a penalty, but any danger to the Broncos dissipated as they dropped the ball 15 metres from the London line.
After 15 minutes of arm-wrestle, London got their third try, Alex Walker simply too strong for the Hunslet defence who turned him on his back inside the in-goal area but still allowed him to get his arm free to ground the ball. Hellec’s conversion drifted wide of the left post.
In the 39th minute, Liam Tindall thought he had gone over for a fourth London try, but the referee spotted an obstruction in the move as London broke from a scrum. Nonetheless, the Broncos were more than comfortable 16–0 leaders against the division’s basement-dwellers at the interval.
Five minutes after the resumption, London looked likely to go over again down the left wing, but the pass out towards Tindall was well read by Noah Booth. The Wakefield Trinity loanee intercepted the pass and sprinted 80-metres under the sticks without a hand being laid upon him. Billy Jowitt improved the score.
Hunslet were better in the second half than they had been in the first, but they continued to ruin their chances of cutting the deficit to a single score by making mistakes. Their kicking game was not probing enough to put the home defence under any sort of pressure and the ball was often returned many metres downfield.
The Broncos were a little frustrated to have three more tries disallowed, first because of an incorrect play the ball, then because of a knock-on and lastly when Stock was ruled held-up in-goal. But they were not to be denied in the 73rd minute when Aaron Small dived onto a loose ball after Jenson Binks’ kick had bounced inside the in-goal area beating Tindall’s leap as Hunslet’s cover was slow to react.
The Parksiders’ discipline let them down late on as they conceded three penalties in seven minutes, from one of which Keelan Foster was sin-binned for foul play. To make matters worse for Hunslet, London took advantage of the 12 men facing them by breaching their line for a fifth time as Binks’ long, cut-out pass found the unmarked Tindall, who ran towards the posts to make Hellec’s kick easy.
London Broncos: 1 Alex Walker, 29, Alfie Johnson, 2 Chris Hellec, 20 Aaron Small, 5 Liam Tindall, 6, Luke Polselli,28 Jenson Binks, 8 Huw Worthington, 9 Curtis Davies, 13 Marcus Stock, 11 Will Lovell, 18 Ben Hursey-Hord, 15 Tom Whitehead. Replacements 17, Jensen Monk, 21 Chris Ball, 22 Matt Ross, 23 Sam Winney. 18th man: 18 Ted Davidson.
Tries: Stock (3), Polselli (8), Walker (25), Small (73), Liam Tindall (77).
Goals: Hellec 3/5
Sin-bin: None
Hunslet: 1 James Watson, 5 MacKenzie Turner, 30 Noah Booth, 16 Liam Welham, 2 MacKenzie Scurr, 16 Greg Eden, 4 Billy Jowitt, 27 Sam Campbell-Webb, 34 Mason Corbett, 17 Keelan Foster, 11 Ethan Wood, 22 Harrison Gilmore, 10 Matthew Fletcher. Replacements: 8 Harvey Hallas, 12 Aaron Levy, 13 Jordan Syme, 26 Ethan O’Hanlon. 18th man: 21 Coby Nichol.
Tries: Booth (46)
Goals: Jowitt 1/1
Sin-bin: Keelan Foster (77, foul play)
Referee: Kevin Moore
HT: 16–0
Penalty awarded count: 10–6
Attendance: TBA
Mike Eccles appointed Director of Rugby to lead London Broncos’ football strategy The London Broncos are proud to announce that Mike Eccles has been appointed as Director of Rugby, formalising his leadership role as the Club continues to build towards a potential Super League return in 2026. Eccles is a familiar name to Broncos fans, having originally served as Head of High Performance before stepping into the Head Coach role in 2022, where he guided the team through one of its most remarkable chapters - promotion back to the Super League. His vision, resilience, and leadership during that period cemented his status as one of the most respected figures in the Club’s modern history. In this new position, Eccles will oversee all football operations, player performance, and development pathways, ensuring that the Broncos maintain the highest possible standards both on and off the field. His appointment reflects the Club’s ambition to professionalise its structures, creating a system that nurtures players, fosters excellence, and delivers a sustainable competitive edge. “This role gives me the chance to ensure the Broncos’ football programme is as strong and forward-thinking as possible,” Eccles said. “London deserves a rugby league club that can compete at the top level, and everything we’re putting in place is designed to make that a reality.” For the sport more broadly, Eccles’ elevation underscores the Broncos’ determination to be not just participants, but genuine competitors, capable of reigniting rugby league in the nation’s capital and inspiring the next wave of talent from London and the South. #WeAreLondon
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Will play Featherstone Rovers in London on 28 Sep for a place in Super League!
POST-MATCH REACTION: Broncos sign off 2025 with win London Broncos rounded up the season with an impressive win away at Widnes Vikings. Both Mike Eccles and Will Lovell have been fantastic club servants but will have different roles at the club next season under the proposed new ownership. We spoke to both following yesterday conclusion to the year. #WeAreLondon
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