2018 London Broncos season
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The 2018 London Broncos season was the 39th in the club's history, their fourth consecutive campaign out of the Super League and the third since moving to Ealing and the
Trailfinders Sports Ground Trailfinders Sports Ground (TFSG) is a rugby ground in West Ealing, London, England, which is the home of Ealing Trailfinders rugby union. London Broncos rugby league club spent one final season at the ground, having been based at TFSG on a p ...
. Competing in the 2018 Betfred Championship and the 2018 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, the club was coached by Danny Ward, ending the regular league season in second place behind the
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
, thereby qualifying for the 2018 Super League Qualifiers. The London Broncos finished in fifth position at the end of the seven match qualifying series, earning themselves a place in the
Million Pound Game Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual playoff final rugby league game that decides which Championship team will be promoted to Super League the following season. Between 2015 and 2018, the game was played as part of The Qualif ...
and a trip to Canada to play
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
, and the on-field season concluded with a sensational victory and promotion back to the
European Super League The European Super League (ESL), officially The Super League, was a proposed seasonal club football competition that initially would have been contested by twenty European football clubs, twelve of them being the competition's founding members. ...
, Rugby League's top flight in the Northern Hemisphere, for the 2019 season.


Year review


January

Pre-season preparations conclude with two away fixtures, a close victory at Betfred Championship 1 side,
Doncaster Doncaster (, ) is a city in South Yorkshire, England. Named after the River Don, it is the administrative centre of the larger City of Doncaster. It is the second largest settlement in South Yorkshire after Sheffield. Doncaster is situated in ...
22–16 in freezing snowy conditions, followed by a narrow 18–24 loss at
Betfred Super League The Super League (officially known as the Betfred Super League due to sponsorship from Betfred and legally known as Super League Europe), is the top-level of the British rugby league system. At present the league consists of twelve teams, of w ...
outfit,
Hull Kingston Rovers Hull Kingston Rovers are a professional rugby league club based in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, that competes in the Super League, the top tier of British rugby league. The club has won five league championships, and one Challen ...
.


February

The Broncos begin the sponsored
Betfred Championship The Championship, known as the Betfred Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a professional rugby league competition. It is the second-tier competition organised by the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the sport in England, ...
season in fine style by winning their opening four fixtures, three of them at home.
Barrow Raiders The Barrow Raiders are a semi-professional rugby league team in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. The club was formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club. For the 1995–96 Rugby Football League season, 1995–96 and 1996 RFL Division Two, 1996 ...
are dispatched 56–12 on the season's opening day following a masterful man of the match display by James Meadows on debut, and following a hard-fought 12–0 away success at
Dewsbury Rams The Dewsbury Rams are a professional English rugby league club based in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire that compete in the Championship. They play their home games at the Tetley's Stadium, on Owl Lane. The Rams' main fanbase comes from their hometo ...
, Eddie Battye and
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
the try scorers, two further home victories over traditional rivals,
Featherstone Rovers Featherstone Rovers are a professional rugby league club in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England, who play in the Championship. Featherstone is a former coal mining town with a population of around 16,000 and Rovers are one of the last "smal ...
and the much fancied
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
see the London-based outfit top the early season table.


March

The month begins in freezing conditions, courtesy of the
Beast from the East ''Beast from the East'' is a live album recorded by the American heavy metal band Dokken in Japan in April 1988, during tour in support of their album '' Back for the Attack''. It was released on November 16, 1988. The album features live vers ...
, which results in the Broncos' Round 5 fixture at Sheffield Eagles being postponed on 4 March. The Broncos record a fifth straight championship victory the following weekend however, defeating
Batley Bulldogs Batley is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. Batley lies south-west of Leeds, north-west of Wakefield and Dewsbury, south-east of Bradford and north-east of Huddersfield. Batley is part of the ...
68–12 in a twelve try blitz at
Trailfinders Sports Ground Trailfinders Sports Ground (TFSG) is a rugby ground in West Ealing, London, England, which is the home of Ealing Trailfinders rugby union. London Broncos rugby league club spent one final season at the ground, having been based at TFSG on a p ...
in front of a crowd of 1,200. Kieran Dixon bags four tries, and there are braces for Api Pewhairangi and Rhys Williams. The Broncos commence their Ladbrokes Challenge Cup campaign seven days later with a long trip to Betfred Championship 1 club,
Workington Town Workington Town R.L.F.C. is a semi-professional rugby league club playing in Workington in west Cumbria. Their stadium is Derwent Park, which they share with Workington Comets, a speedway team. They became Rugby League Champions in 1951 and ...
, and a close encounter sees the Londoners emerge victorious 22–20, Rhys Williams repeats the feat of seven days previous with a try double, and Api Pewhairangi and Tom Spencer also cross the chalk line for Danny Ward's side. The midweek Ladbrokes Challenge Cup draw pits the Broncos with a tough looking trip to a revitalised Leigh Centurions, the former
Betfred Super League The Super League (officially known as the Betfred Super League due to sponsorship from Betfred and legally known as Super League Europe), is the top-level of the British rugby league system. At present the league consists of twelve teams, of w ...
outfit recovering form after an inauspicious start to life back in the
Betfred Championship The Championship, known as the Betfred Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a professional rugby league competition. It is the second-tier competition organised by the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the sport in England, ...
. The last Sunday of the month has the Broncos travelling north to
Heywood Road Heywood Road is a rugby stadium in Sale, Greater Manchester, England, which has been the home ground of rugby union side Sale F.C. since 1905. It was the home ground of spin-off professional club Sale Sharks until they moved to Edgeley Park, ...
, home of struggling Swinton Lions and the visitors record a thumping 64–18 win to reassert their authority at the top of the championship table. The twelve try rout sees a hat-trick for Alex Walker and doubles for Kieran Dixon and James Cunningham. James Meadows, Will Lovell and
Lewis Bienek Lewis Bienek (born 11 April 1998) is an Ireland international rugby league footballer who plays as a for the London Broncos in the Betfred Super League. He has previously played for the Broncos in the Betfred Championship, spending time on lo ...
also grab four-pointers to further emphasis the growing influence of the London produced players while Tom Spencer and Ben Hellewell complete the scoring. Good Friday sees the visit of Sylvain Houles'
Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship. The ...
, and despite an early score by captain, Jay Pitts, the hosts struggle in the extremely wet conditions and subside to a first league defeat of the campaign, the French side running out easy 36-16 victors.


April

In a precursor to the upcoming 5th round Ladbrokes Challenge Cup tie later in the month the Broncos complete their Easter programme at Leigh Centurions. A hard-fought encounter on Bank Holiday Monday in front of 3, 328 sees Danny Ward's men just come up short, tries from Elliot Kear, James Cunningham and Matty Gee not enough to prevent a second defeat inside four days as the improving hosts record a fourth straight championship victory. Another tough day at the office ensued six days later, as a trip to
Halifax R.L.F.C. The Halifax Panthers are a professional rugby league club in Halifax, West Yorkshire, which formed in 1873. Halifax were one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. They have been Rugby Leag ...
results in a third defeat in as many games, the Broncos unable to take advantage of the hosts twice being reduced to 12 men in a feisty encounter, eventually losing 16–26 to Richard Marshall's Shaymen. The Broncos in need of a return to winning ways, travelled to
Rochdale Hornets The Rochdale Hornets are a professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England, competing in the Championship, the second tier of European rugby league. The Rochdale Hornets are one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs ...
on the following Friday and returned south with two valuable points. Kieran Dixon led the way with a treble added to by a
Sadiq Adebiyi Sadiq Adebiyi (born 8 January 1997) is a Nigerian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Keighley Cougars in the Championship and Nigeria at international level. Adebiyi played for London Broncos between 2015 and 2021 ...
brace, scores sufficient to see the Broncos victorious 30–15 on an extremely wet evening at the Crown Oil Arena. A return to Lancashire and the Leigh Centurions the following weekend proves less fruitful, a below par performance ends with the Londoners crashing out of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup 0-40. The month is completed with a comfortable eleven try home win over lowly
Dewsbury Rams The Dewsbury Rams are a professional English rugby league club based in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire that compete in the Championship. They play their home games at the Tetley's Stadium, on Owl Lane. The Rams' main fanbase comes from their hometo ...
, the mercurial
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
contributing 29 points, three tries and ten goals in a 64-6 success.


May

The early May Bank holiday weekend has the Broncos play host to familiar foes, in the shape of Leigh Centurions, and despite a fantastic effort in sweltering conditions the home side fall to a third defeat by
Kieron Purtill Kieron Purtill was most recently the head coach of the Widnes Vikings in the Betfred Championship before resigning in October 2019 after signing a 1 year contract extension only two months prior. He is the former head coach of both the Canada n ...
's Leigh Centurions team inside five weeks. An absorbing encounter in front of a season's best crowd to date of 1, 340 has the spectators on the edge of their seats, tries from Rhys Williams, Alex Walker, Matty Gee, James Meadows and
Sadiq Adebiyi Sadiq Adebiyi (born 8 January 1997) is a Nigerian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Keighley Cougars in the Championship and Nigeria at international level. Adebiyi played for London Broncos between 2015 and 2021 ...
not quite enough to prevent a 30-40 reverse and a slide to fourth place in the Betfred
Championship In sport, a championship is a competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion. Championship systems Various forms of competition can be referred to by the term championship. Title match system In this system ...
table. The next two weekend's see the Broncos rack up 112 points in two victories over Sheffield Eagles, the first, the postponed Round 5 fixture. The month ends with a first defeat at the Summer Bash as
Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship. The ...
again prove too strong for the Broncos who lose 28–40 in sunny Blackpool, despite tries from
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
, captain Jay Pitts,
Ben Evans Benjamin Ross Evans (born 31 July 1975) is a former international Wales rugby union player. A prop, he has played for Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Calvisano. He has played for Jersey and Moseley RFC. After spending time playing amateur rugby for ...
and two from Rhys Williams.


June

With a week off due to the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup quarter-finals the Broncos have time to re-group, ahead of their first ever trans-atlantic fixture at
Betfred Championship The Championship, known as the Betfred Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a professional rugby league competition. It is the second-tier competition organised by the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the sport in England, ...
leaders,
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
. The hosts, backed by a crowd of 7, 384 are intent on avenging their only league defeat of the season back in February, and prove difficult opponents, tries from
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
and Elliot Kear unable to prevent a 12–32 loss, a result that sees the Broncos drop out of the top four. Lowly
Rochdale Hornets The Rochdale Hornets are a professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England, competing in the Championship, the second tier of European rugby league. The Rochdale Hornets are one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs ...
and Swinton Lions visit
Trailfinders Sports Ground Trailfinders Sports Ground (TFSG) is a rugby ground in West Ealing, London, England, which is the home of Ealing Trailfinders rugby union. London Broncos rugby league club spent one final season at the ground, having been based at TFSG on a p ...
before month end, and Danny Ward's team regain their form with two impressive victories, a regular season's best 68–0 against the former, and an equally convincing 58–22 over the latter.


July

The race for the top four is as red hot as the
2018 British Isles Heat Wave The 2018 Britain and Ireland heat wave was a period of unusually hot weather that took place in June, July and August. It caused widespread drought, hosepipe bans, crop failures, and a number of wildfires. These wildfires worst affected northern ...
, and the competition remains fierce with six teams firmly in the hunt ahead of the last five fixtures.
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
are seemingly secure at the head of the table, but the other five clubs,
Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship. The ...
,
Featherstone Rovers Featherstone Rovers are a professional rugby league club in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England, who play in the Championship. Featherstone is a former coal mining town with a population of around 16,000 and Rovers are one of the last "smal ...
,
Halifax R.L.F.C. The Halifax Panthers are a professional rugby league club in Halifax, West Yorkshire, which formed in 1873. Halifax were one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. They have been Rugby Leag ...
, Leigh Centurions and the Broncos all hold genuine aspirations of securing a place in the Super League Qualifiers ahead of the mid-season break. The Londoners, with a tough looking run-in, remain firmly in contention in fifth place and continue their charge with a 38–16 triumph at
Batley Bulldogs Batley is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. Batley lies south-west of Leeds, north-west of Wakefield and Dewsbury, south-east of Bradford and north-east of Huddersfield. Batley is part of the ...
, a brace from Rhys Williams, and further efforts from Api Pewhairangi, Matty Gee, Jay Pitts and Kieran Dixon enough to secure the points against
Matt Diskin Matt Diskin (27 January 1982) an English professional rugby league coach was the head coach of Oldham in the Betfred Championship, and a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a in the 2000s and 2010s. He played at represen ...
's side. A third match up of the campaign against
Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship. The ...
sees the teams share forty points. In temperatures reaching 33c the Broncos fight back from 12 to 20 down to grab a point in the game's last quarter, an Eddie Battye try is converted by Kieran Dixon, who then kicks a 75th minute pressured penalty to secure a potentially vital point in France. The Broncos host
Halifax R.L.F.C. The Halifax Panthers are a professional rugby league club in Halifax, West Yorkshire, which formed in 1873. Halifax were one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. They have been Rugby Leag ...
the following weekend, and in another tight encounter, the home side gain a narrow and important 20–18 win, courtesy of tries by the prolific Rhys Williams who crosses the whitewash twice, Alex Walker and
Ben Evans Benjamin Ross Evans (born 31 July 1975) is a former international Wales rugby union player. A prop, he has played for Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Calvisano. He has played for Jersey and Moseley RFC. After spending time playing amateur rugby for ...
. The result returns the Broncos to the top four ahead of a pivotal fixture away to third placed
Featherstone Rovers Featherstone Rovers are a professional rugby league club in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England, who play in the Championship. Featherstone is a former coal mining town with a population of around 16,000 and Rovers are one of the last "smal ...
seven days later, and despite trailing 0–7 at the break, the Broncos roar back in the second stanza, tries from Kieran Dixon,
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
and Alex Walker enough to earn a 14-7 come from behind victory. The season defining win crucially leaves the fate of the Broncos in their own hands going into their final game of the regular campaign, a trip to
Craven Park, Barrow-in-Furness Craven Park is a rugby league stadium in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. It is the home of Barrow Raiders rugby league team. Rugby league Craven Park was built in 1931, largely as a result of the efforts of supporters of Barrow RLFC, 500 ...
, home of
Barrow Raiders The Barrow Raiders are a semi-professional rugby league team in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. The club was formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club. For the 1995–96 Rugby Football League season, 1995–96 and 1996 RFL Division Two, 1996 ...
. A crushing thirteen try 72–6 rout of the Cumbrians secures a place in the Super League Qualifiers, and second spot in the
Betfred Championship The Championship, known as the Betfred Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a professional rugby league competition. It is the second-tier competition organised by the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the sport in England, ...
for the third successive season behind winners,
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
. The Broncos can now look forward to four home games in the Super League Qualifiers and just edge out
Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship. The ...
and
Halifax R.L.F.C. The Halifax Panthers are a professional rugby league club in Halifax, West Yorkshire, which formed in 1873. Halifax were one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. They have been Rugby Leag ...
on points difference with
Featherstone Rovers Featherstone Rovers are a professional rugby league club in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England, who play in the Championship. Featherstone is a former coal mining town with a population of around 16,000 and Rovers are one of the last "smal ...
and Leigh Centurions consigned to the
Championship Shield The Championship Shield is a competition that is played at the end of the regular rugby league season in the Bottom 8 of the Super 8s. Structure At the end of the regular season the bottom 8 Championship teams carry points they have earned f ...
.


August

The Broncos kick-off the Super League Qualifiers with a fixture at
Widnes Vikings The Widnes Vikings are an English rugby league club in Widnes, Cheshire, which competes in the Betfred Championship. The club plays home matches at the Halton Stadium. Founded as Widnes Football Club, they are one of the original twenty-two r ...
in front of the Thursday evening
Sky Sports Sky Sports is a group of British subscription sports channels operated by the satellite pay television company Sky Group (a division of Comcast), and is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It ...
cameras. Trailing 0–6 at the break Danny Ward's men produce a stunning second half performance to earn a dramatic 21-20 come from behind victory. Mark Ioane crosses early in the second half to reduce the arrears, and despite falling 4-14 behind, 3 tries in nine minutes from Daniel Harrison and a Kieran Dixon double, the second a 70-metre interception, puts the Londoners 20-14 ahead. The hosts level in a tense finale, only for
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
to win it for the London Broncos with a long range field goal in the dying seconds of a riveting contest. The Broncos entertain current Super League champions,
Leeds Rhinos The Leeds Rhinos are a professional rugby league club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The club was formed in 1870 as Leeds St John's and play in the Super League, the top tier of English rugby league. They have played home matches at Headin ...
in Round 2, and a season's best home crowd of 1,904 witness an entertaining encounter with the Broncos registering 22 unanswered second half points, although these are not enough to prevent a 32–48 defeat. A brave effort sees Rhys Williams bag another brace while there is a first professional try for Daniel Hindmarsh. Kieran Dixon and Ben Hellewell also cross the chalk-line in their 100th appearances for the club.


September

The London Broncos begin the month and continuation of their Super League Qualifiers campaign seven days after
Catalans Dragons The Catalans Dragons (French: ''Dragons Catalans'', Catalan: ''Dracs Catalans'') are a professional rugby league club from Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The team competes in the Super League and are the only team from outs ...
historic
2018 Challenge Cup The 2018 Challenge Cup, also known as the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons, was the 117th staging of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout tournament for teams in the Super League, the British National Leagues and a nu ...
Wembley success with a second trip of the season to Canada, and a fixture with
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
. A scintillating four try blitz inside eight second half minutes is unable to prevent Danny Ward's men from falling to a 22-34 reversal in front of a partisan crowd of 7,557 the prolific Rhys Williams and Kieran Dixon add to their season's try tally and there are also four pointers for Alex Walker and
Ben Evans Benjamin Ross Evans (born 31 July 1975) is a former international Wales rugby union player. A prop, he has played for Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Calvisano. He has played for Jersey and Moseley RFC. After spending time playing amateur rugby for ...
. The London Broncos play host to fellow
Betfred Championship The Championship, known as the Betfred Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a professional rugby league competition. It is the second-tier competition organised by the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the sport in England, ...
side,
Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship. The ...
eight days later in a crucial fourth out of seven Super League Qualifiers fixture, and a season's best display results in Danny Ward's men run out convincing 34-8 victors, a success that sees the Londoners leapfrog their French counterparts in the table and into a
Million Pound Game Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual playoff final rugby league game that decides which Championship team will be promoted to Super League the following season. Between 2015 and 2018, the game was played as part of The Qualif ...
position. Alex Walker bags a try double, to reach 20 for the season, whilst there are further tries from James Cunningham, Kieran Dixon and Ben Hellewell, the latter two stirring length of the field interception efforts. Game 5 of the qualifiers campaign saw the London Broncos travel to familiar foes,
Hull Kingston Rovers Hull Kingston Rovers are a professional rugby league club based in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, that competes in the Super League, the top tier of British rugby league. The club has won five league championships, and one Challen ...
, and despite a gutsy display on Yorkshire's east coast, the Southerners came up short, on the wrong end of an 18–30 score line. The irrepressible
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
reached 20 tries for the season to draw the Londoners level early on, and although Matty Gee and Michael Channing added second half four pointers, these were not enough to secure the spoils for the Broncos who dropped out of the
Million Pound Game Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual playoff final rugby league game that decides which Championship team will be promoted to Super League the following season. Between 2015 and 2018, the game was played as part of The Qualif ...
positions as a consequence. The Broncos returned home to host
Salford Red Devils The Salford Red Devils are a professional rugby league club in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, who play in the Super League. Formed in 1873, they have won six Championships and one Challenge Cup. Their home ground since 2012 has been t ...
seven days later, the match moved forward 24 hours at the behest of the
Rugby Football League The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league in England, and until 1995 for the whole British Isles. The name Rugby Football League previously also referred to the main league competition run by the organisati ...
(RFL) to accommodate broadcast partner,
Sky Sports Sky Sports is a group of British subscription sports channels operated by the satellite pay television company Sky Group (a division of Comcast), and is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It ...
' scheduling of the final round of fixtures the following week. In one of the most memorable games seen in the Capital in recent times, the Londoners emerged victorious 11-8 after a titanic battle against their
Betfred Super League The Super League (officially known as the Betfred Super League due to sponsorship from Betfred and legally known as Super League Europe), is the top-level of the British rugby league system. At present the league consists of twelve teams, of w ...
opponents. The heavens had opened mid morning and continued long into the night, but the inclement weather failed to deter captain, Jay Pitts who scored the home side's only try of the afternoon with a close-range effort after 14 minutes. Thereafter, a combination of heroic defence and the ever-reliable kicking boot of
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
, was enough to see Danny Ward’s team secure two crucial points, and leave their promotion aspirations very much alive with one game of the Super League Qualifiers, at home to Halifax, remaining. Much conjecture during the week's build up to the final match had centred on whether the Londoners could qualify, and then secure a home fixture in the
Million Pound Game Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual playoff final rugby league game that decides which Championship team will be promoted to Super League the following season. Between 2015 and 2018, the game was played as part of The Qualif ...
. Results in the 48 hours preceding the contest would have a major bearing on the outcome and close challengers,
Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship. The ...
's loss at
Salford Red Devils The Salford Red Devils are a professional rugby league club in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, who play in the Super League. Formed in 1873, they have won six Championships and one Challenge Cup. Their home ground since 2012 has been t ...
on the Thursday evening greatly improved the chances of Danny Ward’s men making the end of season finale, although
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
’s stunning 17-16 success over fallen champions,
Leeds Rhinos The Leeds Rhinos are a professional rugby league club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The club was formed in 1870 as Leeds St John's and play in the Super League, the top tier of English rugby league. They have played home matches at Headin ...
at
Headingley Headingley is a suburb of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, approximately two miles out of the city centre, to the north west along the A660 road. Headingley is the location of the Beckett Park campus of Leeds Beckett University and Headingley ...
a day later, meant the Londoners were almost certain to have to travel. The Broncos had to avoid an unlikely 24 point defeat at
Trailfinders Sports Ground Trailfinders Sports Ground (TFSG) is a rugby ground in West Ealing, London, England, which is the home of Ealing Trailfinders rugby union. London Broncos rugby league club spent one final season at the ground, having been based at TFSG on a p ...
on the Saturday evening to ensure qualification, a feat they achieved as a
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
inspired display was enough to see the southern based outfit earn a come from behind victory. The triumph was not without a hiccup though as Richard Marshall’s valiant West Yorkshiremen raced into an early twelve point lead before tries from
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
and Éloi Pélissier prior to the interval, the latter with his first for the club, and second half efforts from Kieran Dixon and Elliot Kear secured a 23–18 win, fifth position in the final table and an away berth in the
Million Pound Game Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual playoff final rugby league game that decides which Championship team will be promoted to Super League the following season. Between 2015 and 2018, the game was played as part of The Qualif ...
. Destination of travel was confirmed 24 hours later, as
Hull Kingston Rovers Hull Kingston Rovers are a professional rugby league club based in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, that competes in the Super League, the top tier of British rugby league. The club has won five league championships, and one Challen ...
’s 30–0 triumph over already relegated
Widnes Vikings The Widnes Vikings are an English rugby league club in Widnes, Cheshire, which competes in the Betfred Championship. The club plays home matches at the Halton Stadium. Founded as Widnes Football Club, they are one of the original twenty-two r ...
ensured their Super League status, leaving the London Broncos searching for their passports ahead of a trip back to the land of the Maple Leaf for the third time in 2018 to play Paul Rowley's
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
on Canada Thanksgiving Sunday.


October

The London Broncos returned to the
Betfred Betfred is a bookmaker based in the United Kingdom, founded by Fred Done.Pronounced to rhyme with "bone". It was first established as a single betting shop in Ordsall, Salford, in 1967. Its turnover in 2004 was reported to be more than £3.5 bi ...
sponsored Super League after an absence of four years, with a stunning 4–2 victory against the
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
in the
Million Pound Game Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual playoff final rugby league game that decides which Championship team will be promoted to Super League the following season. Between 2015 and 2018, the game was played as part of The Qualif ...
. In an enthralling try-less game, the Broncos emerged victorious thanks to a superb collective defensive display by Danny Ward’s men and the boot of
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
. The ever reliable
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
kicked a goal in each half to silence an overwhelming majority of a record 9, 266 franchise crowd, and although the hosts' Gareth O’Brien, hero for the
Salford Red Devils The Salford Red Devils are a professional rugby league club in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, who play in the Super League. Formed in 1873, they have won six Championships and one Challenge Cup. Their home ground since 2012 has been t ...
in the same fixture in 2016, had managed to cancel out the Australian born Maltese International's first half effort, his attempt to level for a second time from distance in the 69th minute of an absorbing contest missed narrowly, and thereafter the Londoners held out in thrilling fashion to celebrate a tense and well deserved win to spark wild on-field celebrations in Canada, and off-field at the
Trailfinders Sports Ground Trailfinders Sports Ground (TFSG) is a rugby ground in West Ealing, London, England, which is the home of Ealing Trailfinders rugby union. London Broncos rugby league club spent one final season at the ground, having been based at TFSG on a p ...
where supporters had watched the match live on a big screen in the main bar. The team that won promotion back to Super League: Alex Walker, Kieran Dixon, Ben Hellewell, Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams, Jay Pitts,
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
,
Ben Evans Benjamin Ross Evans (born 31 July 1975) is a former international Wales rugby union player. A prop, he has played for Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Calvisano. He has played for Jersey and Moseley RFC. After spending time playing amateur rugby for ...
, Éloi Pélissier, Mark Ioane, Matty Gee, Will Lovell, Daniel Hindmarsh. Interchange: Tom Spencer, Eddie Battye, Rob Butler, Matty Davies. Head Coach: Danny Ward, Assistant
Jamie Langley Jamie John Langley (born 21 December 1983) is an assistant coach at Sale Sharks in Premiership Rugby and an English former professional rugby league footballer. A Great Britain representative , he has also played for England and with Bradfor ...
. Home-grown fullback Alex Walker, who dislocated three fingers, breaking one of them in the first minute, was named man of the match for an outstanding performance, capped by a stunning last-ditch tackle to deny
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
's
Blake Wallace Blake Wallace (born 18 June 1992) is a retired Australian professional rugby league footballer who played as a stand-off or scrum-half for the Leigh Centurions in the Betfred Super League. He previously for the Toronto Wolfpack in League 1 ...
late on as the Broncos held firm to secure a famous win. The end of the month saw a raft of players join the club as the London Broncos began their preparations for a return to the
Betfred Super League The Super League (officially known as the Betfred Super League due to sponsorship from Betfred and legally known as Super League Europe), is the top-level of the British rugby league system. At present the league consists of twelve teams, of w ...
. Matty Fozard, Nathan Mason and Greg Richards joined Éloi Pélissier in signing for Danny Ward’s men, the latter having played an influential part in the Londoners play-off promotion success, whilst James Cunningham and Elliot Kear agreed contracts to remain with the London-based outfit.


November

The month begins with the capture of
Jordan Abdull Jordan Abdull (born 5 February 1996) is an English rugby league footballer who plays as a or for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Betfred Super League. He has played for Hull F.C. in the Super League, and on loan at Doncaster in League 1, Feathe ...
from fellow Super League club,
Hull FC Hull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull F.C., is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in West Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the Super League competition and were ...
, and Gideon Boafo signing his first full time professional contract with club after excelling with the London Broncos Academy. The eagerly awaited 2019
Betfred Super League The Super League (officially known as the Betfred Super League due to sponsorship from Betfred and legally known as Super League Europe), is the top-level of the British rugby league system. At present the league consists of twelve teams, of w ...
fixtures are released on the first Tuesday of the month, with the London Broncos scheduled to host
Wakefield Trinity Wakefield Trinity is a professional rugby league club in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England, that plays in the Super League. One of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895, between 1999 and 2016 the ...
on the opening weekend of the new season. In further off season transfer activity the London Broncos capture the signature of St. Helens ; Ryan Morgan on a season long loan, while the month ends with goodbye's to
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
, Tom Spencer and
Ben Evans Benjamin Ross Evans (born 31 July 1975) is a former international Wales rugby union player. A prop, he has played for Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Calvisano. He has played for Jersey and Moseley RFC. After spending time playing amateur rugby for ...
who all leave the club after playing pivotal roles in helping the Southerners regain their
Betfred Super League The Super League (officially known as the Betfred Super League due to sponsorship from Betfred and legally known as Super League Europe), is the top-level of the British rugby league system. At present the league consists of twelve teams, of w ...
status. London Broncos confirm their first pre-season fixture of 2019, and will travel to Betfred League 1 outfit, Doncaster R.L.F.C. on 20 January.


December

A quiet end to the year sees the London Broncos capture the signature of Luke Yates from NRL club,
Newcastle Knights The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League (NRL) premiership. Playing in red and blue, th ...
.


Milestones


February

* Danny Ward took charge of his first professional game with a 56–12 victory over the
Barrow Raiders The Barrow Raiders are a semi-professional rugby league team in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. The club was formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club. For the 1995–96 Rugby Football League season, 1995–96 and 1996 RFL Division Two, 1996 ...
. * James Meadows made his professional debut in the round 1 victory over the
Barrow Raiders The Barrow Raiders are a semi-professional rugby league team in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. The club was formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club. For the 1995–96 Rugby Football League season, 1995–96 and 1996 RFL Division Two, 1996 ...
. *
Sam Davis Sam Davis (October 6, 1842 – November 27, 1863) was a Confederate soldier executed by Union forces in Pulaski, Tennessee, during the American Civil War. He is popularly known as the ''Boy Hero of the Confederacy'', although he was 21 when he ...
made his professional debut in the round 1 victory over the
Barrow Raiders The Barrow Raiders are a semi-professional rugby league team in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. The club was formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club. For the 1995–96 Rugby Football League season, 1995–96 and 1996 RFL Division Two, 1996 ...
. * Daniel Harrison played in his 100th professional game with the round 1 victory over the
Barrow Raiders The Barrow Raiders are a semi-professional rugby league team in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. The club was formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club. For the 1995–96 Rugby Football League season, 1995–96 and 1996 RFL Division Two, 1996 ...
. * Jordan Johnstone joined on loan, and made his
Broncos A bucking horse is any breed or either gender of horse with a propensity to buck. They have been, and still are, referred to by various names, including bronco, broncho, and roughstock. The harder they buck, the more desirable they are for rod ...
debut in the victory over the
Dewsbury Rams The Dewsbury Rams are a professional English rugby league club based in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire that compete in the Championship. They play their home games at the Tetley's Stadium, on Owl Lane. The Rams' main fanbase comes from their hometo ...
in Round 2 of the Championship. * Matty Fleming made his first start for
London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
in the round 3 victory over
Featherstone Rovers Featherstone Rovers are a professional rugby league club in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England, who play in the Championship. Featherstone is a former coal mining town with a population of around 16,000 and Rovers are one of the last "smal ...
. * Rob Butler made his professional debut in the round 4 victory over the
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
.


March

*The round 5 fixture against the Sheffield Eagles was cancelled due to weather. *Jordan Johnstone returned to parent club
Widnes Widnes ( ) is an industrial town in the Borough of Halton, Cheshire, England, which at the 2011 census had a population of 61,464. Historically in Lancashire, it is on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form th ...
after the completion of his loan spell. * James Cunningham called up to the
England Knights England Knights (previously known as Emerging England and England A) is considered the feeder team for the England rugby league team. The Knights play a key role in the development of emerging talent, allowing players to gain experience in an i ...
Performance Squad. *
Sam Davis Sam Davis (October 6, 1842 – November 27, 1863) was a Confederate soldier executed by Union forces in Pulaski, Tennessee, during the American Civil War. He is popularly known as the ''Boy Hero of the Confederacy'', although he was 21 when he ...
scored his first try in the professional game during the round 6 victory over
Batley Bulldogs Batley is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. Batley lies south-west of Leeds, north-west of Wakefield and Dewsbury, south-east of Bradford and north-east of Huddersfield. Batley is part of the ...
. * Kam Pearce-Paul joins the
Coventry Bears The Midlands Hurricanes are a semi-professional rugby league club jointly based in Birmingham and Coventry, West Midlands, England. They were founded as the Coventry Bears in 1998 and entered the third tier of the British rugby league system, ...
on a months loan deal. *Jamaican international
Jacob Ogden Jacob Ogden (born 26 June 1998) is a Jamaica international rugby league footballer who last played as a for the York Knights in the RFL Championship. He has spent time on loan from the Broncos at the London Skolars and the Coventry Bears in L ...
made his first appearance in the professional game, debuting for
London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
in Round 4 of the Challenge Cup. * Dan Hindmarsh made his professional debut for the London Broncos in Round 4 of the Challenge Cup. *
Lewis Bienek Lewis Bienek (born 11 April 1998) is an Ireland international rugby league footballer who plays as a for the London Broncos in the Betfred Super League. He has previously played for the Broncos in the Betfred Championship, spending time on lo ...
signed a three and a half year contract with
Hull F.C. Hull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull F.C., is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in West Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the Super League competition and were ...
He was immediately loaned back to the
Broncos A bucking horse is any breed or either gender of horse with a propensity to buck. They have been, and still are, referred to by various names, including bronco, broncho, and roughstock. The harder they buck, the more desirable they are for rod ...
for the remainder of the season. * Rhys Williams played his 100th consecutive game for the London Broncos. * James Meadows scored his first try in the professional game during the round 7 victory over Swinton Lions. * Toulouse Olympique's win over the Broncos saw London lose their 100% start to the season and was the first defeat in Wards coaching career. * Eddie Battye played his 50th game for London in the defeat against
Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship. The ...
.


April

*The
Broncos A bucking horse is any breed or either gender of horse with a propensity to buck. They have been, and still are, referred to by various names, including bronco, broncho, and roughstock. The harder they buck, the more desirable they are for rod ...
were knocked out of the Challenge Cup in the fifth round by the Leigh Centurions. * Matt Davies made his professional debut in the Round 12 victory over the
Dewsbury Rams The Dewsbury Rams are a professional English rugby league club based in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire that compete in the Championship. They play their home games at the Tetley's Stadium, on Owl Lane. The Rams' main fanbase comes from their hometo ...
.


May

*
Lewis Bienek Lewis Bienek (born 11 April 1998) is an Ireland international rugby league footballer who plays as a for the London Broncos in the Betfred Super League. He has previously played for the Broncos in the Betfred Championship, spending time on lo ...
ended his loan period back at the Broncos and returned to
Hull F.C. Hull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull F.C., is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in West Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the Super League competition and were ...


June

*The Broncos played their first ever trans-atlantic fixture in the defeat by the
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
. *The 68-0 drubbing of
Rochdale Hornets The Rochdale Hornets are a professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England, competing in the Championship, the second tier of European rugby league. The Rochdale Hornets are one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs ...
was London's biggest win of the regular season, and largest ever points difference win in the Championship for the club. * Matt Davis signs for
Warrington Wolves The Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league club based in Warrington, England, that competes in the Super League. They play rugby at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2004. Founded as Warrington ...
on a two-year contract, starting in 2019.


July

* Daymeric Pelo joined from
Limoux Limoux (; oc, Limós ) is a commune and subprefecture in the Aude department, a part of the ancient Languedoc province and the present-day Occitanie region in southern France. Its vineyards are famous for being first to produce sparkling w ...
and signed a deal until the end of the 2018 season. * Éloi Pélissier joined from the
Lézignan Sangliers Lézignan may refer to: In geography: * Lézignan, Hautes-Pyrénées, a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, France * Lézignan-Corbières, a commune in the Aude department, France * Lézignan-la-Cèbe Lézignan-la-Cèbe (; oc, Lesinhan ...
and signed a deal until the end of the 2018 season. *The 72–6 victory over the
Barrow Raiders The Barrow Raiders are a semi-professional rugby league team in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. The club was formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club. For the 1995–96 Rugby Football League season, 1995–96 and 1996 RFL Division Two, 1996 ...
represented the Broncos biggest ever away win in the Championship. *London Broncos finished the regular Championship season as runners up, and earned a place in the Super League Qualifiers. *The Broncos were the top points scorers in the Championship, scoring 907 points in their 23 regular season games, at an average of nearly 40 points per game.


August

*The Broncos 21–20 victor

over
Widnes Widnes ( ) is an industrial town in the Borough of Halton, Cheshire, England, which at the 2011 census had a population of 61,464. Historically in Lancashire, it is on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form th ...
in the opening game of the Super League Qualifiers was their first against Super League opposition since defeating
Salford Red Devils The Salford Red Devils are a professional rugby league club in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, who play in the Super League. Formed in 1873, they have won six Championships and one Challenge Cup. Their home ground since 2012 has been t ...
19–16 at the
Salford City Stadium Salford City Stadium (referred to as the AJ Bell Stadium for sponsorship purposes) is a rugby stadium in Barton-upon-Irwell, England, built to replace Salford rugby league club's ground the Willows for the 2012 season. Sale Sharks rugby unio ...
in the 2016 Super 8s * Api Pewhairangi played his 50th game for the Broncos in the Super League Qualifiers victory over the
Widnes Vikings The Widnes Vikings are an English rugby league club in Widnes, Cheshire, which competes in the Betfred Championship. The club plays home matches at the Halton Stadium. Founded as Widnes Football Club, they are one of the original twenty-two r ...
* Kieran Dixon made his 100th appearance for the Broncos in the Super League Qualifiers fixture against
Leeds Rhinos The Leeds Rhinos are a professional rugby league club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The club was formed in 1870 as Leeds St John's and play in the Super League, the top tier of English rugby league. They have played home matches at Headin ...
* Ben Hellewell also made his 100th appearance for the Broncos in the Super League Qualifiers fixture against
Leeds Rhinos The Leeds Rhinos are a professional rugby league club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The club was formed in 1870 as Leeds St John's and play in the Super League, the top tier of English rugby league. They have played home matches at Headin ...
* Daniel Hindmarsh scored his first professional try for the Broncos in the Super League Qualifiers fixture against
Leeds Rhinos The Leeds Rhinos are a professional rugby league club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The club was formed in 1870 as Leeds St John's and play in the Super League, the top tier of English rugby league. They have played home matches at Headin ...
*The London Broncos attracted their highest attendance of the season to date, 1, 904 for the Super League Qualifiers Round 2 fixture versus
Leeds Rhinos The Leeds Rhinos are a professional rugby league club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The club was formed in 1870 as Leeds St John's and play in the Super League, the top tier of English rugby league. They have played home matches at Headin ...
* Kieran Dixon who recently made his 100th appearance for the Broncos signed a new two-year contract with the Londoners * Eddie Battye signed a new one-year contract with the
Trailfinders Sports Ground Trailfinders Sports Ground (TFSG) is a rugby ground in West Ealing, London, England, which is the home of Ealing Trailfinders rugby union. London Broncos rugby league club spent one final season at the ground, having been based at TFSG on a p ...
based outfit


September

*
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
reached 100 goals for the season when converting his fourth of seven goals in the Super League Qualifiers fixture against
Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship. The ...
* Alex Walker reached 20 tries for the campaign with a brace in the Super League Qualifiers fixture against
Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship. The ...
* Elliot Kear made his 100th appearance for the London Broncos in the Super League Qualifiers fixture against
Hull Kingston Rovers Hull Kingston Rovers are a professional rugby league club based in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, that competes in the Super League, the top tier of British rugby league. The club has won five league championships, and one Challen ...
*
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
reached 20 tries for the season with the opener in the Super League Qualifiers match versus
Hull Kingston Rovers Hull Kingston Rovers are a professional rugby league club based in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, that competes in the Super League, the top tier of British rugby league. The club has won five league championships, and one Challen ...
* Danny Ward in his first year as coach of London Broncos was voted the
Betfred Championship The Championship, known as the Betfred Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a professional rugby league competition. It is the second-tier competition organised by the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the sport in England, ...
Coach of the Year * London Broncos were this year's winners of the Project of the Year Award for
Betfred Championship The Championship, known as the Betfred Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a professional rugby league competition. It is the second-tier competition organised by the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the sport in England, ...
and Betfred League 1 for their alliance with Featherstone School Sports Partnership delivering programmes within primary schools in Ealing to improve numeracy and literacy and emotional and physical wellbeing. The Project of the Year award recognises a club across both leagues who has shown an outstanding commitment to meeting the objectives of raising the visibility and profile of the competition and increasing attendance at one or more games through a special project. * London Broncos ended their Super League Qualifiers campaign in fifth position with a home victory over Halifax, which earned them a place in the
Million Pound Game Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual playoff final rugby league game that decides which Championship team will be promoted to Super League the following season. Between 2015 and 2018, the game was played as part of The Qualif ...


October

* Michael Channing announced his early retirement from the game through a neck injury * Will Lovell made his 50th appearance for London Broncos in the
Million Pound Game Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual playoff final rugby league game that decides which Championship team will be promoted to Super League the following season. Between 2015 and 2018, the game was played as part of The Qualif ...
against
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
* London Broncos returned to the
Betfred Betfred is a bookmaker based in the United Kingdom, founded by Fred Done.Pronounced to rhyme with "bone". It was first established as a single betting shop in Ordsall, Salford, in 1967. Its turnover in 2004 was reported to be more than £3.5 bi ...
sponsored Super League on Sunday 7 October 2018 after an absence of four years with victory in the
Million Pound Game Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual playoff final rugby league game that decides which Championship team will be promoted to Super League the following season. Between 2015 and 2018, the game was played as part of The Qualif ...
versus
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
at the
Lamport Stadium Allan A. Lamport Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium on King Street West in the Liberty Village neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the practice facility for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. It is also partia ...
*Six London produced players featured in the
Million Pound Game Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual playoff final rugby league game that decides which Championship team will be promoted to Super League the following season. Between 2015 and 2018, the game was played as part of The Qualif ...
victory over the
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
; Alex Walker, Kieran Dixon, Will Lovell, Daniel Hindmarsh, Rob Butler, and Matty Davies * Matty Fozard signed for the London Broncos on a two-year contract from
Betfred Championship The Championship, known as the Betfred Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a professional rugby league competition. It is the second-tier competition organised by the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the sport in England, ...
club, Sheffield Eagles. * James Cunningham penned a one-year deal with the London Broncos keeping him at the club until the end of the 2019 season. * Elliot Kear agreed a new one-year contract to keep him at the London Broncos for the 2019
Betfred Super League The Super League (officially known as the Betfred Super League due to sponsorship from Betfred and legally known as Super League Europe), is the top-level of the British rugby league system. At present the league consists of twelve teams, of w ...
campaign. * Éloi Pélissier signed a one-year deal with the London Broncos, keeping him at the club for the 2019 season. * Nathan Mason joined the London Broncos on a two-year contract from fellow
Betfred Super League The Super League (officially known as the Betfred Super League due to sponsorship from Betfred and legally known as Super League Europe), is the top-level of the British rugby league system. At present the league consists of twelve teams, of w ...
club,
Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are an English professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, the birthplace of rugby league, who play in the Super League competition. They play their home games at the John Smiths Stadium which is sha ...
* Greg Richards signed for the London Broncos on a two-year contract following his release from
Betfred Championship The Championship, known as the Betfred Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a professional rugby league competition. It is the second-tier competition organised by the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the sport in England, ...
club, Leigh Centurions earlier this year


November

* Matt Davies signed a one-year full time contract after featuring eight times for the London Broncos during the 2018 campaign whilst on an apprenticeship contract working with the London Rugby League Foundation and the Broncos Community programme. *
Jordan Abdull Jordan Abdull (born 5 February 1996) is an English rugby league footballer who plays as a or for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Betfred Super League. He has played for Hull F.C. in the Super League, and on loan at Doncaster in League 1, Feathe ...
joined the London Broncos on a one-year deal from fellow Super League club,
Hull FC Hull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull F.C., is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in West Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the Super League competition and were ...
. * Gideon Boafo signed his first full time professional contract with club after excelling with the London Broncos Academy. * Ryan Morgan joined the London Broncos on-loan from St. Helens for the 2019
Betfred Super League The Super League (officially known as the Betfred Super League due to sponsorship from Betfred and legally known as Super League Europe), is the top-level of the British rugby league system. At present the league consists of twelve teams, of w ...
season. *
Ben Evans Benjamin Ross Evans (born 31 July 1975) is a former international Wales rugby union player. A prop, he has played for Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Calvisano. He has played for Jersey and Moseley RFC. After spending time playing amateur rugby for ...
departs the Londoners and joins
Betfred Championship The Championship, known as the Betfred Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a professional rugby league competition. It is the second-tier competition organised by the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the sport in England, ...
outfit,
Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship. The ...
* Tom Spencer ends his association with the London Broncos and signs for
Betfred Championship The Championship, known as the Betfred Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a professional rugby league competition. It is the second-tier competition organised by the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the sport in England, ...
club, Leigh Centurions *
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
leaves the London Broncos for personal reasons and signs a two-year contract with
Wigan Warriors The Wigan Warriors are a professional rugby league club in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, which competes in the Super League. Formed in 1872 as Wigan Football Club, Wigan was a founding member of the Northern Rugby Football Union followin ...


December

* London Broncos secure the signature of Luke Yates from NRL club,
Newcastle Knights The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League (NRL) premiership. Playing in red and blue, th ...


2018 tables


Betfred Championship - Regular Season


Super League Qualifiers - Super 8s


Fixtures and Results (Broncos Score First)


Preseason


Betfred Championship


The Super League Qualifiers - Super 8s


The Million Pound Game


Ladbrokes Challenge Cup


Player appearances


Betfred Championship

;Notes


The Super League Qualifiers - Super 8s & Million Pound Game


Ladbrokes Challenge Cup


Squad statistics

* Appearances and Points include (''Betfred Championship, Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, Super League Qualifiers and the Million Pound Game'') as of 8 October 2018. Gains & Losses
/ref>


Notes


Tale of the Tape

''Most Points in a Game'' *34, Round 5:
Jarrod Sammut Jarrod Sammut (born 15 February 1987) is a Maltese international rugby league footballer who plays as a or for the Barrow Raiders in the BetFred Championship. He previously played as a for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and played for ...
vs. Sheffield Eagles (3 tries & 11 Goals) ''Most tries in a Game'' *4, Round 6: Kieran Dixon vs.
Batley Bulldogs Batley is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. Batley lies south-west of Leeds, north-west of Wakefield and Dewsbury, south-east of Bradford and north-east of Huddersfield. Batley is part of the ...
''Highest score in a winning game'' *72, Round 23: vs.
Barrow Raiders The Barrow Raiders are a semi-professional rugby league team in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. The club was formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club. For the 1995–96 Rugby Football League season, 1995–96 and 1996 RFL Division Two, 1996 ...
''Lowest score in a winning game'' *4,
Million Pound Game Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual playoff final rugby league game that decides which Championship team will be promoted to Super League the following season. Between 2015 and 2018, the game was played as part of The Qualif ...
: vs.
Toronto Wolfpack The Toronto Wolfpack are a Canadian professional rugby league club based in Toronto, Ontario, who compete in the North American Rugby League. The club originally competed in the British rugby league system but withdrew in the 2020 Super Leagu ...
''Greatest winning margin'' *68, Round 17: vs.
Rochdale Hornets The Rochdale Hornets are a professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England, competing in the Championship, the second tier of European rugby league. The Rochdale Hornets are one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs ...
''Greatest number of games won consecutively'' *7, Round 1 to Round 7 (The Round 5 away fixture at Sheffield Eagles on 4 March was postponed and rescheduled for later in the season). Includes the win at
Workington Town Workington Town R.L.F.C. is a semi-professional rugby league club playing in Workington in west Cumbria. Their stadium is Derwent Park, which they share with Workington Comets, a speedway team. They became Rugby League Champions in 1951 and ...
in Challenge Cup Round 4 ''Highest score in a losing game'' *32, Super League Qualifiers Round 2: vs.
Leeds Rhinos The Leeds Rhinos are a professional rugby league club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The club was formed in 1870 as Leeds St John's and play in the Super League, the top tier of English rugby league. They have played home matches at Headin ...
''Lowest score in a losing game'' *0, Challenge Cup Round 5: vs. Leigh Centurions ''Greatest losing margin'' *40, Challenge Cup Round 5: vs. Leigh Centurions ''Greatest number of games lost consecutively'' *3, Round 8 to Round 10


Transfers


In


Out


Awards


Trophy Cabinet

* Million Pound Game Trophy


London Broncos Awards Night

Held at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, London-Ealing on Tuesday 9 October. * London Broncos Men of Steel: Jay Pitts and Rhys Williams * London Broncos Chairmans Player of the Year: Alex Walker * London Broncos Players Player of the Year: Matt Davis * London Broncos Young Player of the Year: Daniel Hindmarsh


References


External links


londonbroncosrl.com
{{2018 in rugby league London Broncos seasons London Broncos 2018 in English rugby league London Broncos season