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
TOULOUSE GALLERY You can now take a look through the best images from the Championship clash with Toulouse at the State Ernest Wallon. Photo credit: David Gibson #WeAreLondon
POST-MATCH REACTION: Mike Eccles following narrow Toulouse defeat London Broncos Director of Rugby & Performance Mike Eccles felt that despite defeat in France to the league leaders Toulouse Olympic, it was a performance with "plenty of positives and lots to build on." The Broncos would twice take the lead in the first-half only to be pegged back on both occasions to go into the break 12-12 but a last minute try from Benjamin Laguerre would seal the points for Sylvain Houles side. Watch the full post-match interview with Mike Eccles below. #WeAreLondon
TEAM NEWS: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos Here is your starting line-up for this afternoon’s Championship with Toulouse at the Stade Ernest-Wallon. Brandon Webster-Mansfield comes in at centre to make his full debut and Connor O’Beirne returns to the starting line-up following injury. #WeAreLondon
MATCH PREVIEW: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos London Broncos head into one of the stand out fixtures of the season on Sunday when they make the trip to the south of France to take on Toulouse Olympique. Not only is it a visit to the side topping the Championship table but it is also the destination of one of the best days in the club's recent history. Securing promotion against Toulouse in 2023 was the last meeting between the two sides but despite the Broncos coming out on top that day it is the French who will be favourites on Sunday. Broncos come into this game on the back of a losing run but shoots of improvements were clear to see in the narrow defeat to Widnes last time out and will be boosted by the squad named. Squad Information Mike Eccles has named the 21-man travelling party for this weekend’s trip to Toulouse as Brandon Webster-Mansfield is named for the first time since arriving. Alongside Webster-Mansfield we also Liam Tindall and Connor O’Beirne return, coming as a huge boost for the squad. Sam Winney also returns to the 21 for the first time since breaking his jaw in the away game at Barrow. Jack Smith who is on dual registration from Leeds Rhinos also joins the group after scoring two tries on his debut for the club against Widnes Vikings. Lewis Bienek remains the only major absentee however it is hoped he will be fit for the next game at Hunslet.
MATCH PREVIEW: Mike Eccles looks ahead to Toulouse trip London Broncos Director of Rugby & Performance Mike Eccles has done his pre-match interview ahead of the trip to Toulouse and has offered a positive update. Liam Tindall and Connor O'Beirne are in contention to play following injuries and Lewis Bienek will hopefully be ready for the next game against Hunslet. Jack Smith, Connor Barley and Kian McDermott and Lukas Mason make up the rest of the squad. Watch the full interview with Mike below. #WeAreLondon
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos Mike Eccles has named the 21-man travelling party for this weekend’s trip to Toulouse as Brandon Webster-Mansfield is named for the first time since arriving. Alongside Webster-Mansfield we also Liam Tindall and Connor O’Beirne return, coming as a huge boost for the squad. Sam Winney also returns to the 21 for the first time since breaking his jaw in the away game at Barrow. Jack Smith who is on dual registration from Leeds Rhinos also joins the group after scoring two tries on his debut for the club against Widnes Vikings. Lewis Bienek remains the only major absentee however it is hoped he will be fit for the next game at Hunslet. #WeAreLondon
TOULOUSE TRAINING GALLERY The final session with the squad before we fly out to Toulouse on Saturday ahead of Sunday's Championship clash at the State Ernest-Wallon. #WeAreLondon
Half-season Tickets now available!! London Broncos are delighted to announce half-season tickets for the remainder of the season which offer huge discounts on buying regular tickets for each game. With just 6 home games remaining a general admission adult season ticket costs just £60 which is a huge 100% saving on buying individual tickets for each game. Buy from the link below.
Who has played for both? Toulouse Olympique & London Broncos It’s pretty common when we do these articles that there are a number of current players playing for the opposition, but perhaps Sheffield Eagles and Toulouse Olympique win the record for the highest number this season. So, before you all guess these five, Toulouse have 5 players in the current squad who have featured for London Broncos; Paul Ulberg, Ollie Ashall-Bott, Greg Richards, Callum Gahan and Rob Butler. Let’s focus on some of the players that no longer don the colours of either side and their history with us both; Rhys Curran An Aussie born French international, Curran spent two seasons at London Broncos before hanging up his boots. Still residing in London you can regularly expect to see Rhys coming down to The Cherry Red Records to support his former teammates. However, he can count a number of the Toulouse players as former teammates as he spent a very fruitful four seasons playing for the club between 2016 and 2019 and prior to that he played in Elite VIII for Villeneuve. Through residency (living for three years in France) Curran would play three times for the French national team in 2018.
FANS FORUM - WHAT WAS SAID? Question: Are we going to change our name from London Broncos? GH: I changed the name at Leeds and I can tell you that at the time it was unpopular. The fans of Leeds didn't want to change names. They said, we don't want all these gimmicky names. We did change, and this is the best thing we ever did. They created a new logo, a new brand, a new identity in many respects, a new mascot, and it's the best thing we ever did. If you ask 99% of the Leeds Rhinos fans now they will say that was a pretty good decision. For us, it is being researched and ultimately no decision has been made and everyone needs to have an opinion and give it to me. It may well be (changed), and I was with a fairly prominent person the other day who came up with a very well-reasoned recommendation as to what the name should be. I thought, well, I never really thought about that, but it was a well-presented argument. We need as many of those as possible. We need to think about it and ultimately make a decision in the best interests of the club. Question: Are you going to share it? (suggestion for new name) GH: Well, since you've asked me the question, I will, yes. I won't give you the name of the person I'm talking to, but he's a very prominent person in the media, he's a Rugby League fan, and he's not an Englishman. But he was saying, in his opinion, the name should be simply London Rugby League. I said to him thank you very much for your suggestion and that it needs to be in the melting pot like all the other suggestions. Question: On behalf of all the long-standing London fans in this room tonight, and I know most of them personally, we've all been together for many years. Can we just thank you for the interest and the commitment you've taken to The Club? Thank you. Honestly, it's created a superb momentum because of someone of your stature being involved in London. So, thank you very much. GH: Well, thank you for that, and I feel very humbled by that and what I don't want to do is make any false promises. I think this is a fascinating journey, but it's a journey that I don't know how long it's going to take. What I do know is it's all based on people's commitments coming together and as I've said several times, I don't have a magic wand. I think my role is to actually galvanise interest and commitment and try and give it an opportunity, manifesting itself for the collective good of the club. That's primarily my role in all of this. And I can see by the attendance tonight that there's a great passion and a great interest and a great commitment as well. So that's a pretty good starting point. So I'm pretty confident that we've got quite a few ingredients in place. It's going to be a tough journey because it's a tough league. The Super League is an incredibly tough competition. The Championship is a terrific competition and it's so competitive. So to make progress we need to be pretty well organised and ready to go. We're ready to go and ready to make progress and my role in all this is to try and actually organise that and make it happen.
