MATCH REPORT: Featherstone Rovers 34-6 London Broncos
Jake Watson • 6 April 2025
MATCH REPORT: Featherstone Rovers 34-6 London Broncos
London Broncos bowed out of the 1895 Cup at the quarter finals stage after losing to Featherstone Rovers at Post Office Road.
Broncos won the toss and opted to go down the hill in the first half which was a tactic that served us well in the last visit back in 2023. It was by no means a slow start but it was the home side who registered the first points of the afternoon but it wasn’t without controversy as it looked like the officials had missed a forward pass. After play had been allowed to continue Wynne and Aekins combined for the latter to score. Reynolds kicked the extras. Rovers 6-0 Broncos.
That try sparked Mike Eccles side into action and in the 15th minute the Broncos moved the ball well out to the left hand side where Liam Tindall found himself in space - who likes nothing more than green grass to run into. The winger ran almost 50 metres and cut inside to evade Reynolds to score a fantastic try. The conversion from Hellec was almost as impressive as he slotted it through the posts from a tight angle.
In the 20th minute Lewis Bienek returned to the action after missing the win over Hunslet and with his first carry eyed up his opposite number and ran straight through him. Just before the half hour mark Bienek would once again cause destruction to the Rovers defence. From 30 metres out he powered through two tackles and looked like a fantastic opportunity to score but he was stopped by the full-back and knocked on in the contact.
Broncos would then pay the price for not taking that chance as in the 33rd minute Aekins would score again as he smartly stepped inside two tackles to put the home side back in front. Reynolds couldn't add the extras but it meant it was 10-6 at half-time.
Behind at the break and now going up the hill it was always going to be a tough task at this point to secure the win and progress into the semi-finals. That being said it was the Broncos who started the better with Tindall presented with the best opportunity after picking up a bouncing ball 15 metres out he went for the grubber but it was smothered on the tryline and the chance had gone.
In the 47th minute Featherstone threatened to score again but after a knock on the referee had long blown his whistle before the try and the premature celebrations had happened. This would however prove to be a let off as the next score would follow in the 50th minute with Wynne scoring with a diving finish in the far left-hand corner. The conversion was missed but Featherstone scoring the first points undoubtedly knocked the belief of a comeback. 14-6
On the hour mark Aekins would complete his hat-trick as he somehow managed to free an arm and reach for the line. Reynolds would convert and Rovers would be almost certain of progressing. 20-6
Just a few minutes later a high looping kick was contested by Hellec and Featherstone’s Hatton and it would be the Rovers player who would impressively gather the ball and score the next try. The kicker had now changed with Ryan Hampshire taking over duties but he would miss with his first attempt. 24-6.
Heading into the final 10 minutes the depth of Featherstone’s squad began to have a real impact. It’s a squad filled with outstanding Championship talent and when they click they are a formidable side for anyone to come up against. In the 71st minute Featherstone would score again but again it looked like a forward pass had been missed. Hampshire would again be unsuccessful but the score had moved to 28-6.
There would be one final score for Paul Cooke’s side and it came in the 76th minute as Connor Jones managed to slip the tackle from Polselli to run over the line and a free run under the posts to give Hampshire the simple task with the kick. Final score 34-6.
LONDON BRONCOS: Walker, Hellec, Ball, Small, Tindall, Polselli, Binks, Worthington, Davies, Stock, Lovell, Adebiyi, Stock
Interchanges: Ross, Bienek, Mason & Davis
IT'S GAMEWEEK!! London Broncos return to The Cherry Red Records on Sunday for the first time since the game with Widnes Vikings on May 31st. Mike Eccles side now have four remaining home league games in Wimbledon and are calling on the support of our fantastic supporters to help us finish the season strongly. Hospitality tickets for the 'Legends Lounge' & 'Broncos Bar' can be purchased from the link below.
HIGHLIGHTS: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos London Broncos travelled up to Featherstone Rovers in a Championship fixture between two of the in-form sides in the division. To watch back full extended highlights of the game watch the video below or head to our YouTube channel to watch the full game back.
EMILIA'S BIG DAY It's not long now until we welcome Emilia and DKMS to The Cherry Red Records Stadium for her big day! - London Broncos will host ‘Emilia’s Big Day’ to celebrate young cancer survivor whose life was saved by a stem cell donor. - Supporters can join the stem cell donor register with a simple mouth swab - This is part of a partnership with DKMS : inspired by lifelong rugby league fan whose baby son needed a stem cell transplant. ‘Emilia’s Big Day’ is a major peak in a partnership between Broncos and DKMS, which encourages rugby fans to become potential lifesavers by joining the stem cell donor register. Emilia Mackay, 7, was just 5 years old when she was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder, and required weekly blood and platelet transfusions just to survive. Doctors said that she needed a stem cell transplant, but unfortunately, no one in her family was a match, so a global search began to find a stranger who could save her life. Emilia’s dad, James Mackay, says, “As a parent, my child being diagnosed with such a serious illness was my worst nightmare. When we knew that Emilia’s future would rely on someone from the stem cell donor register, it was terrifying.” Fortunately for Emilia, a stranger in Germany had signed up to the DKMS donor register and was identified as a match. They agreed to donate their stem cells, which were then flown to the UK before being quickly transferred to the hospital where Emilia was being cared for. Emilia is now in remission, and since her transplant at the end of 2023, she has been thriving. James says, “Emilia’s donor changed everything for us. It’s obviously very emotional; the kindness of a random stranger means that my daughter has been given another chance at life. We’re so happy that she is well enough to do the things she loves, and that we can attend rugby games as a family. We are so excited for the event with Broncos and DKMS -- we won’t just be celebrating Emilia, we’ll also be adding more people to the register so that more patients like her can get a second chance at life”.
MATCH GALLERY: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos It was a frustrating afternoon as the Broncos were beaten by Featherstone Roves at the Millennium Stadium. Marcus Stock and Alex Walker had given the Broncos the lead at half-time but Rovers proved too strong in the second half running out eventual 36-18 winners. #WeAreLondon
POST-MATCH REACTION: Eccles reacts to Featherstone defeat London Broncos head coach Mike Eccles bemoaned a lack of experience and getting some tough officiating calls as they went down 36-18 to Featherstone Rovers. The Broncos had led 12-4 at the break but the home side used the hill to their advantage in the second half and proved too strong. Watch the full interview with Mike below. #WeAreLondon
TEAM NEWS: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos Here is your starting line-up for this afternoon's Round 19 Championship fixture with Featherstone Rovers at the Millennium Stadium. There is just one change to the starting 13 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week as Aaron Small comes in for Louix Gorman. Dan Okoro is named as an interchange after joining from Warrington Wolves on loan. #WeAreLondon
MATCH PREVIEW: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos We move into Round 19 of the Championship season on Sunday with another away trip as this week we head to Featherstone Rovers. This will be the third time the two sides have met this season after Broncos won the home league game before Rovers were to take the win in the 1895 Cup Quarter Final. Mike Eccles side will come into the game in good form having won 48-6 at the weekend against Sheffield and now three wins from the last four games. SQUAD INFO Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad to head to Featherstone Rovers in this weekend’s Round 19 Championship clash. The Broncos come into the game in good form having won 3 of the last 4 league games and will be looking to close the gap on the hosts who currently sit above them in the table. There are only two changes to the 21 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week Huw Worthington is unavailable after failing his HIA last weekend. Meanwhile, Dan Okoro, who has joined on loan from Warrington Wolves, replaces Louix Gorman who is unavailable from Hull KR this weekend.
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad to head to Featherstone Rovers in this weekend’s Round 19 Championship clash. The Broncos come into the game in good form having won 3 of the last 4 league games and will be looking to close the gap on the hosts who currently sit above them in the table. There is only two change to the 21 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week Huw Worthington is unavailable after failing his HIA last weekend. Meanwhile, Dan Okoro, who has joined on loan from Warrington Wolves, replaces Louix Gorman who is unavailable from Hull KR this weekend.
INTERVIEW: Dan Okoro joins on loan Warrington Wolves prop Dan Okoro has joined the club on loan until the end of the season and believes the club is a good fit for him as he looks to gain some all important game-time. The 22-year-old Hull KR academy product has had numerous stints on loan in the Championship, particularly impressing whilst at Bradford which earned him his move to Warrington. Watch the full interview with Dan below.
INTERVIEW: Brandon Webster-Mansfield London Broncos media caught up with in-form centre Brandon Webster-Mansfield ahead of Sunday's trip to Featherstone Rovers. The 23-year-old Aussie has made an instant impact since joining the club and has been named in the most recent Rugby League World Team of The Month. Watch the full interview below plus keep scrolling to watch some of his highlights as he promises "there is more to come."
