Match Report: Barrow Raiders

London Broncos 36 - 10 Barrow Raiders

London Broncos secured a win over Barrow Raiders at the Richmond Athletic Ground to set up a home round-of-16 tie against Keighley Cougars next month. Cold, windy and later wet conditions contributed to a game marked by frequent handling errors from both teams.

London opened the scoring in the third minute after forcing an error from Barrow’s first possession. Epel Kapinias broke through defenders to score near the posts, and Gario Voro converted. Voro finished the match with six successful conversions.

Barrow responded with pressure in London’s territory and scored in the 13th minute when Tee Ritson crossed in the left corner. Brad Walker’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

As Barrow targeted London’s right edge, a pass was intercepted by Liam Tindall in the 24th minute, who ran the length of the field to score between the posts. Six minutes later, Elliot Wallis extended the lead with an 80-metre run that broke several tackles.

London led 18–4 at halftime. After defending early second-half pressure, they added three further tries: Brandon Webster-Mansfield broke the defensive line to score in the 46th minute, Marcus Stock followed with a short-range effort, and Lewis Bienek crossed while holding off multiple defenders.

Skipper Will Lovell marked his 200th club appearance with a man-of-the-match performance, playing the full 80 minutes. Jeremiah Simbiken, making his London debut from the bench, prevented a Barrow try in the 55th minute with a one-on-one tackle on Curtis Teare near the try line.

Barrow applied sustained pressure in the final ten minutes, helped by several penalties and repeat sets, and eventually scored again when Ritson crossed in the corner in the 78th minute. Walker converted, but the result was already decided.

London Broncos: 22 Alex Walker, 5 Liam Tindall, 20 Brandon Webster-Mansfield, 2 Elliot Wallis, 26 Neil Tchamambe, 23 Gairo Voro, 12 Jack Croft, 10 Emarly Bitungane, 9 Sam Davis, 16 Epel Kapinias, 11 Luke Smith, 21 Will Lovell, 13 Siliva Havili.

Replacements: 17 Marcus Stock. 19 Ben Hursey-Hord, 24 Lewis Bienek, 25 Jeremiah Simbiken. 

Tries: Kapinias (3), Tindall (24), Wallis (30), Webster-Mansfield (46), Stock (53), Bienek (62).

Goals: Voro 6/6

Barrow Raiders: 1 Luke Cresswell, 19 Seth Woodend, 4 Curtis Teare, 5 Luke Broadbent, 25 Tee Ritson, 17 Alex Bishop, 7 Ryan Johnston, 10 Joe Bullock, 9 Josh Wood, 13 Ryan King, 11 Ellis Robson, 12 Matt Costello, 6 Brad Walker.

Replacements: 14 Aiden Doolan, 15 Charlie Emslie, 16 Greg Richards, 31 Stevie Watson

Tries: Ritson (14, 78).

Goals: B. Walker 1/2

Referee: Arryn Belafonte

HT: 18–4

Penalty awarded count: 6–11

Attendance: 52444

Match Report by David Ballheimer