MATCH PREVIEW: Barrow Raiders vs London Broncos
Jake Watson • 17 April 2025
MATCH PREVIEW: Barrow Raiders vs London Broncos
London Broncos have their longest away trip on UK soil this week as they make the trip up to Cumbria to take on Barrow Raiders.
Broncos have lost their last two games and last three away games so will be looking to bounce back with a win on Good Friday. Mike Eccles’ side were a matter of seconds away from victory against Batley Bulldogs at The Cherry Red Records but suffered heartbreak as Alfie Dean scored in the final play to send the Bulldogs back to West Yorkshire with the points.
Barrow have enjoyed a good start to the season and come into this game off the back of a good win at Widnes Vikings with a 37-12 win. It means in the early stages of the season after 6 games the Raiders have won 4 and currently sit in 4th place.

BARROW RAIDERS v LONDON BRONCOS - THE STATS
London are undefeated in their last four away meetings with Barrow, having won three and drawn one.
Barrow's last home victory against the capital side (as London Crusaders) was a 37-12 Second Division win on 3 October, 1993.
Last ten meetings:
Barrow 6, London Broncos 26 (ChR21, 6/8/23)
London Broncos 30, Barrow 16 (ChR11, 13/5/23)
London Broncos 20, Barrow 30 (ChR27, 11/9/22)
Barrow 18, London Broncos 18 (ChR6, 20/3/22)
Barrow 6, London Broncos 72 (ChR23, 29/7/18)
London Broncos 56, Barrow 12 (ChR1, 4/2/18)
(at Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing)
Harlequins 82, Barrow 8 (CCR5, 20/5/06)
(at Twickenham Stoop)
London Broncos 30, Barrow 6 (SD, 11/12/94)
(at Barnet Copthall)
Barrow 10, London Broncos 16 (SD, 4/9/94)
London Crusaders 52, Barrow 14 (SD, 27/2/94)
(at Barnet Copthall)
ONE TO WATCH - TEE RITSON
On-loan from St Helens the speedy winger returned to Craven Park this season hoping to replicate the sort of form that earned his move to the then Club World Champions. The 29-year-old scored a remarkable 70 tries in 71 games between 2019 and 2023 before attracting the attention of Paul Wellens. Since his move to The Totally Wicked Stadium his try scoring exploits haven’t hit the same heights but being back in Barrow working under Paul Crarey once again he will be a player that will need close attention from the Broncos defence.
LAST TIME OUT
Our last visit to Barrow was in Round 21 of the 2023 Championship season and it was a successful visit with the Broncos winning 26-6 at Craven Park.
You can watch the highlights from that game below.
WHO HAS PLAYED FOR BOTH? London Broncos & York Knights London Broncos play host to York Knights on Saturday but can you tell me what players that have had both clubs play host to them? We have picked out some to have played for both in recent years but can you add any more to the list below? SAM DAVIS A London Broncos academy product, the Leicester born hooker has enjoyed two spells in the capital, sandwiched either side of a spell in the yellow and black of York. Davis played for London between 2016-2021 before moving to York signing a two year deal, however injuries meant he never really settled and rejoined London in 2023 initially on loan before signing permanent terms. Following relegation from Super League at the end of the 2024 season Davis would move to Salford however financial issues there has meant Davis has once again signed dual-registration terms. So, whilst it won’t be this weekend we could see more of Sammy in a Broncos jersey in the future.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: London Broncos vs York Knights Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad to face York Knights on Saturday (5pm KO) at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. Jenson Binks returns to the squad after missing the defeat to Halifax under HIA protocol in a welcome boost. Meanwhile, Lukas Mason & Kian McDermott return from Wigan Warriors after being unavailable for the previous few games. Emmanuel Waine plays the second game of his two week loan and Lennie Ellis joins Louix Gorman in coming from Hull KR and goes straight into the 21. Lennie Ellis is a 19-year-old half and hooker who made his first team debut against Wigan Warriors in 2023. Last season he played on loan in the Championship with Whitehaven and earlier this season played for Goole in League One.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: London Broncos MAGIC! On the eve of this year's Magic Weekend what better time to re-live our spectacular performance in the 2024 showpiece. London Broncos vs Hull FC was the opening game of the Weekend at Elland Road with both sides desperately looking to avoid finishing bottom of the division. Whilst The Black & Whites would finish off bottom spot by points difference it was Mike Eccles' side who would take the plaudits at Magic Weekend with a 29-4 win. Re-live the day with some of the best images and the video highlights below. #WeAreLondon
ANNOUNCEMENT: Sheffield Eagles match moved to Rosslyn Park FC London Broncos can confirm that the upcoming match with Sheffield Eagles on May 11th will now take place at Rosslyn Park FC. The decision has been made due to the uncertainty of the availability around The Cherry Red Records stadium with AFC Wimbledon potentially in play-off action on this date. Despite no current game definitely taking place on this date we have decided to make the decision now to avoid any late changes and allow fans from both teams to arrange necessary travel arrangements. The venue of the club's training ground at Rosslyn Park FC has been chosen to host this fixture due to its familiarity to supporters and players and therefore retaining home advantage. Rosslyn Park FC was the Club’s home ground during the 2021 season and has since been used to host fixtures for the London Broncos Women and the men’s Challenge Cup & 1895 Cup fixtures.

SULLIVAN SHIELD MATCH The 5th John Sullivan Trophy will take place on Saturday, May 24th at Harpenden Rugby Club. The game takes place in memory of former London Broncos academy player John Sullivan who tragically took his own life in 2014. The event aims to raise awareness of the issue of young male suicide and the importance of mental health more generally, in addition to raising funds for the Sullivan family’s chosen charity CALM – the Campaign Against Living Miserably .
IT'S GAMEWEEK!! London Broncos return to The Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday as we welcome York Knights to SW17 for Round 9 of the 2025 Championship campaign. The Broncos, who lost their first home league game of the season, in the previous home game against Batley will be looking to right those wrongs with a much needed win. The visitors currently sit in 6th place in the league table following 4 wins and 4 defeats from their opening 8 games. The game will take place on Saturday with a 5pm kick off with gates opening at 3pm. Ticket information and details can be found below.
Paul Sykes breaks another record! London Broncos all-time record points scorer Paul Sykes has become the first player in history to play in 27 consecutive seasons – and according to the Rugby League Record Keepers Club, that’s a new record. Sykes, who will turn 44 in August and was a member of the England squad for the 2008 World Cup, made his first competitive appearance of the 2025 season for Dewsbury Rams in Sunday’s Betfred League One fixture against Rochdale Hornets. And the man who previously held that record is Gus Risman, the Welsh Rugby League great who was a founder member of the sport’s Hall of Fame, having come north to play for Salford in 1929, then moved to Cumbria after the War to make more than 300 appearances for Workington Town, leading them to Wembley victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1952 Challenge Cup Final.