MATCH REPORT: London Broncos 18-10 Barrow Raiders
Jake Watson • 4 August 2025
LONDON BRONCOS V BARROW RAIDERS (by David Ballheimer)
London Broncos (8) 18, Barrow Raiders (10) 10
London Broncos ended their two-game losing streak with a vital come-from-behind victory over the Barrow Raiders on Sunday afternoon. It was a happy return to the Cherry Red Records Stadium for London whose last game at Plough Lane had been the comfortable victory over Widnes Vikings at the beginning of June.
To be honest, with 35 minutes of the first half completed this result seemed unlikely. Barrow threw a forward pass on just the second tackle of the game, but the Broncos did not take advantage of the short field. Two more errors from the visitors gave further excellent scoring opportunities, but they were wasted with careless errors.
The Raiders suffered a blow inside the first 10 minutes when Matt Costello picked up an injury from which he was unable to return, thus leaving Barrow with only three replacements. In the final 10 minutes, another player went down for the game with a leg injury, but most of the eight interchanges had already been made.
It got worse for London in the 13th minute when a floated kick from Brad Walker was gathered by Andrew Bulman and he passed inside to Luke Creswell, who ran behind the posts to make Walker’s conversion automatic.
London were struggling with Barrow’s astute kicking and, six minutes later, Walker aimed for the opposite corner, where Luke Broadbent outjumped his opposite number and was able to touch down in the corner. Walker’s conversion faded just to the right of the uprights, but the Raiders, with very little possession or territory, had a ten-point lead.
The Broncos continued to misfire near to the Barrow line. One possession had five sets, but a knock-on saw the ball turned over. A few minutes later, Conor O’Beirne drilled a 40–20 that went over the sideline a few metres from the pylon. This time, a London player was penalised for obstruction at the play-the-ball in the shadow of the try-line.
Barrow went away from their high kicking tactic, though the Broncos still looked far from assured dealing with anything off the boot. Then, out of nothing, London got back into the game. The possession started deep inside the Broncos’ end, but they made good yards and then Sadiq Adebiyi and Aaron Small made almost 50 metres. Barrow were slow to get back into their defensive line and when the ball was fed from left to right, Jack Smith was alone and he touched down by the corner pylon. He couldn’t improve his score.
In the last minute of the half, the Raiders knocked on as London tried to spread the ball wide and, from the scrum, O’Beirne sent Ethan Natoli into a gap large enough to get over and ground the ball despite the attention of three tacklers. The kick missed again, but the Broncos were within two points.
Barrow kicked off to start the second half and it was perfectly placed to bounce in a place where the Broncos defender could do no more than help the ball go dead in goal. The Raiders, however, were unable to capitalise.
O’Beirne was becoming more influential with his kicks and, in the 47th minute, his chip was allowed to bounce and a Raider touched the ball giving the Broncos a fresh set of six. A few tackles later, O’Beirne drew in a couple of tacklers before moving the ball left, where Liam Tindall was able to score in the corner. Smith, whose afternoon with the boot was not one he will remember fondly, was again wayward, but London, had both a three tries to two lead, but, more importantly, a 12–10 scoreboard advantage.
Barrow did not go quietly and, on the back of four straight attacking sets, got to the London line, but Ryan King was held up in goal. The Raiders did touch down in the 66th minute, but the touch-judge had alertly spotted a knock-on in the build-up to the disallowed score. Adebiyi was having an inspired afternoon. He made three very dangerous runs and defensively, he forced a couple of handling errors with powerful tackles and then caught a Brad Walker chip almost on his goal-line.
In the dying minutes, Barrow’s desperate attempt to snatch possession rebounded as London were given a repeat set. On the last tackle, O’Beirne burst forward but was tackled four metres short of the line. As he went down, he was somehow able to twist in the tackle and get off a pass to Alex Walker. The Raiders defence was suddenly still, so Walker trotted behind the posts and Smith’s conversion came with nine seconds left on the clock and the Broncos leading by eight.
London Broncos: 1 Alex Walker, 33 Jack Smith, 20 Aaron Small, 3 Ethan Natoli, 5 Liam Tindall, 28 Jenson Binks, 7 Connor O’Beirne, 10 Lewis Bienek, 9 Curtis Davies, 12 Sadiq Adebiyi, 11 Will Lovell, 15 Dan Okoro, 13 Marcus Stock. Replacements: 8 Huw Worthington, 14 Charlie Robson, 18 Ben Hursey-Hord, 34 Tommy Porter 18th man: 22 Matt Ross.
Tries: Smith 36, Natoli 40, Tindall 47, A Walker 79
Goals: Smith 1/4
Barrow Raiders: 1 Luke Cresswell, 4 Luke Broadbent, 5 Shane Toal, 18 Curtis Teare, 2 Andrew Bulman, 6 Brad Walker, 9 Josh Wood, 23 Joe Bullock, 25 Aiden Doolan, 8 Tom Walker,11 Ellis Robson, 3 Matt Costello, 13 Ryan King. Replacements: 16 Charlie Emslie, 17 Ryan Shaw, 21 Finn McMillan, 32 Ryan Brown. 18th man: 19 Delaine Gittens Bedward
Tries: Cresswell 13, Broadbent 19
Goals: B Walker 1/2
Referee: Marcus Griffiths
HT: 8–10
Penalty awarded count: 5–5
HIGHLIGHTS: London Broncos vs Barrow Raiders Watch back extended highlights from the Round 20 2025 Championship fixture between London Broncos and Barrow Raiders at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. It was the first game back in Wimbledon for the Broncos since May 31st and they put on an impressive comeback to take the points. Broncos return to home action this coming Sunday when they welcome Toulouse to SW17. Scroll down the page to secure your tickets.
POST-MATCH: Mike Eccles following victory over Barrow Get the thoughts of Mike Eccles who praised a "calm" London Broncos performance after coming back from 0-10 down to win at The Cherry Red Records Stadium.
TEAM NEWS: London Broncos vs Barrow Raiders Here is your starting line-up for this afternoon's Championship fixture with Barrow Raiders at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. Injuries to Luke Polselli and Brandon Webster-Mansfield means Alex Walker reverts to full-back and Jenson Binks coming into the halves and Ethan Natoli moving to centre. Dan Okoro comes in for his first start and Huw Worthington returns to the squad after missing the game with Featherstone with a HIA. There is a new name in the matchday squad as Charlie Robson is named in the 17 following a successful trial. #WeAreLondon
Matchday Guide: London Broncos vs Barrow Raiders We are excited to be able to share the matchday guide with you for our match on Sunday to ensure you have the best possible experience backing the Broncos against Barrow Raiders at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. Important times to note: 13:00- Hospitality opens 13:30 – Gates open 15:00- London Broncos vs Barrow Raiders KO 15:40- London Broncos vs Barrow Raiders HT 16:35- London Broncos vs Barrow Raiders FT 17:30 – Hospitality Last Orders 18:00 – Hospitality Closes
WATCH US LIVE! London Broncos vs Barrow Raiders Can't join us at The Cherry Red Records on Sunday? Don't worry, we've got you covered! Watch the game from the comfort of your own home from the link below.
MATCH PREVIEW: London Broncos vs Barrow Raiders 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. Broncos have won three of the last five games whilst Barrow have two wins from their previous five. The Cumbrian side are in the fight for a play-off place with just one point separating 8th and 5th positions. SQUAD INFO Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad for Sunday's Round 20 Championship fixture with Barrow Raiders at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. The only change from the squad from last weekend's trip to Featherstone is the inclusion of Charlie Robson who has joined the club following a successful trial. Sam Winney drops out although he is on international duty with Ireland.
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: London Broncos vs Barrow Raiders Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad for Sunday's Round 20 Championship fixture with Barrow Raiders at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. The only change from the squad from last weekend's trip to Featherstone is the inclusion of Charlie Robson who has joined the club following a successful trial. Sam Winney drops out although he is on international duty with Ireland.
CHARLIE ROBSON JOINS BRONCOS London Broncos can announce winger Charlie Robson has joined the club. The 23-year-old is a Rugby Union convert after playing for Harlequins and Coventry before deciding to pursue opportunities in League.
2 FOR 1 TICKET OFFER!! London Broncos are pleased to announce a fantastic ticket initiative for our upcoming home games with Oldham RLFC and Bradford Bulls. As we look to finish the season as strongly as possible we are encouraging our supporters to get down to The Cherry Red Records in their numbers to get behind the team. For all supporters who buy a ticket for our last home game against Bradford on September 6th between now and 18th August you will receive a FREE ticket for our home game against Oldham RLFC.
Iliess Macani in the Legends Lounge! London Broncos are delighted to announce Iliess Macani will be our special guest for the upcoming home game against Toulouse Olympique on August 10th (1pm KO). The Tottenham born winger played 140 times for the club scoring 68 tries - ranking him 8th all time for the club.
