Newcastle Thunder vs London Broncos Programme

Kingston Park, 15:00 KO // Betfred
JOHNSON, JACK 1
YOUNG, ALEX 2
WALKER, MARCUS 3
WYNNE, CONNOR 4
CLACL CLEGG, ALEX 5
DONAGHY, ALEX 6
WILLIAMS, NIKAU 7
CHAPELHOW, JAY 8
DAVIES, CURTIS 9
CLARK, MITCH 10
FOSTER, ALEX (CAPTAIN) 11
GALLAGHER, BRAD 12
BAILEY, CONNOR 13
BALMFORTH, DENIVE 14
CHAPELHOW, TED 15
CLARKE, RHYS 16
TULIATU, ROBERT 17
LIGHTOWLER, JAKE 18
CLEMMITT, NATHAN 19
BOAFO, GIDEON 20
LAWTHER, EVAN 21
ANDERSON, JAKE 22
MOORE, CONNOR 23
OKORO, DANIEL 24
1 WALKER, ALEX
2 ULBERG, PAUL
3 BASSETT, JARRED
4 GRANT, DALTON
5 MACANI, ILIESS
6 LEYLAND, OLI
7 HORSMAN, RIAN
8 ALBERT, WELLINGTON
9 DAVIS, SAM
10 WILLIAMS, JORDAN
11 LOVELL, WILL (CAPTAIN)
12 STOCK, MARCUS
13 PARATA, DEAN
14 LEYLAND, BILL
15 BIENEK, LEWIS
16 NATOLI, ETHAN
17 RAIWALUI, HENRY
22 ALLEN, MAX
23 HOYES, DAN
24 MONK, JENSON
25 HOWORTH, JACK
26 PARKE, EUAN
JONES, JACOB
WAINE, EMMANUEL
FLANAGAN, MAX 25
WALSH, MAC 26
MILLER, JACK 27
LAIDLAW, MATTHEW 28
STAVELEY, NICK 29

Good afternoon and welcome back to
Kingston Park!
We know it’s been a while since you
were last with us but it’s great to have
you all back at the home of Newcastle
Thunder for the return of the Betfred
Championship to the North East.
It’s been an odd start to the season
with six away games in a row but the
lads under head coach Chris Thorman
have been working hard to put us in a
strong position in the league.
We know there’s been some big changes
at the club but it’s great to see the
commitment from the squad and the
real comradery amongst the playing
group.
It’s also great to see the level support
this club has. We’ve had some excellent
uptake on season tickets this year
and can only thank you, our trusted
supporters for your unrivalled loyalty
to Newcastle Thunder.
For all of your distribution
and storage needs
• Transport and
logistics
Talk to us about:
• Storage and
warehousing
• Pick and pack
services
4
I’d also like to extend a welcome to
our new Junior Thunder members. An
initiative we’ve brought in early in
the season was launched today with a
special event hosted by the Newcastle
Rugby Foundation.
With plenty of fun activities taking
place and a visit from a new member
of the Thunder Army, club mascot
Thunderbolt, we hope everyone
involved enjoyed themselves and come
along to more events in the future.
Today is also a special day as it’s Chris
Thorman’s first competitive game
in charge at Kingston Park. Chris is
an incredibly proud Geordie and has
followed the club from afar for a while
now. Let’s make sure we make it a day
to remember and get behind the lads
for our first home game of the season.
KEITH CHRISTIE
Club chairman
An award-winning logistics company based in Cramlington
D.Moody (Haulage) Limited
Bolam Business Park, Bassington Drive,
Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 8AL
01670 710060
info@moodylogistics.co.uk
moodylogistics.co.uk

CHRIS THORMAN
CHRIS THORMAN
Reflecting on the season so far,
besides the loss against Keighley
Cougars, I’d say everything had been
going to plan so far.
It’s been a big ask of the lads with six
away games in a row but that’s the
nature of sport and I believe as a squad
we’ve worked hard to put ourselves in
a strong position moving forward.
We’ve had some good team
performances this season so far.
A strong display at Swinton on the
opening day and some resilience in
our draw away at Barrow Raiders. Even
in our 56-6 defeat at Featherstone
Rovers there were plenty of positives
to take away, so I’m confident we’re in a
great place going into today’s fixture.
Alex Clegg is on a great scoring run,
having got three tries in the league
so far and Nikau Williams is proving
solid from the tee.
Good afternoon and welcome to
Kingston Park for our first home
fixture of the season.
Today is not only a big day for the club
but also for myself. It’s the return of
the Betfred Championship to Thunder
HQ but also my first competitive game
in charge at Kingston Park.
I’ve had a taste of what Kingston Park
has to offer with our pre-season
friendly against Keighley Cougars in
January and thoroughly enjoyed what
it had to offer.
Throw in the competitiveness against
the London Broncos and it will only
add to the occasion. I’m really looking
forward to getting stuck in with
the lads and making Kingston Park a
fortress this year.
Looking at today’s opposition in
London Broncos, you could say, are
having a similar season to us. They’ve
won one game and fallen to defeat on
four occasions.
When you consider their losses
however, some have been by the
narrowest of margins. We know that
we’re in for a tough test and they will
certainly have our respect.
Outside of the rugby, we know it will be
a great occasion for all our supporters
to enjoy. We’re excited to be back at
Kingston Park and getting our home
campaign for 2023 underway.
CHRIS THORMAN
Head coach
6 7

CLUB
NEWS
“It’s a massive privilege to be
able to lead this set of lads and
I’m honoured to represent this
city and club.”
ALEX FOSTER NAMED CLUB
CAPTAIN
The former Super League
player with Castleford
Tigers, Alex Foster was
named as the club’s skipper
by head coach Chris
Thorman for the 2023
season.
The backrower is in his
second season at Newcastle
Thunder having made the
move to the North East in
2022.
In his maiden campaign
with the club, the 29-yearold
made 12 appearances,
with his debut coming
against Workington Town
in the opening round.
Foster has featured in
all but one of Thunder’s
fixtures this season and
when speaking about his
appointment said: “It’s a
massive privilege to be able
to lead this set of lads and
I’m honoured to represent
this city and club.”
DUAL REGISTRATION
PARTNERSHIP AGREED WITH
HULL FC
Thunder have teamed up
with Super League side
Hull FC throughout the
2023 season, allowing
the movement of players
between the clubs to
provide extra playing
opportunities throughout
the campaign.
Making full use of the
partnership, Thunder have
already seen the likes of
hooker Denive Balmforth
link up with the squad on
loan as well as forwards
Matthew Laidlaw and Nick
Staveley feature in the
match-day seventeen on a
dual-reg basis.
The latest addition to the
Thunder squad from Hull FC
is centre Connor Wynne.
THUNDER RESERVES KICK-
START 2023 CAMPAIGN
Newcastle
Thunder
Reserves began their
2023 campaign earlier
this month when they
travelled to the Totally
Wicked Stadium to take
on St. Helens Reserves on
Saturday, March 4.
A tough day on the road for
the squad who went down
72-4 to the hosts.
Valuable experience was
gained however and useful
minutes on the field for
first team fringe players
Max Flanagan, Mac Walsh,
Alex Donaghy, Evan Lawther
and Jake Anderson. It was
also good to see a return to
action for Nathan Clemmitt,
who has had a spell on the
side-lines due to injury.
William Lintin was
Thunder’s only try scorer
on the day.
THUNDER’S CHALLENGE CUP
CAMPAIGN IN FULL SWING
Newcastle Thunder kickstarted
their 2023 Betfred
Challenge Cup campaign
against Stanningley
SARLC in Round 3 of the
competition.
Thunder got off to a dream
start securing an 11-try
victory over the community
club from Leeds.
The 16-58 victory saw a
hat-trick from winger
Alex Clegg, a brace from
fullback Jack Johnson and
further tries from Connor
Moore, Alex Foster, Connor
Bailey, Jack Miller, Evan
Lawther and debutant Max
Flanagan.
For the fourth round,
Newcastle Thunder will
travel to Rochdale Mayfield
ARLFC on the weekend of
April 1st/2nd.
Should Thunder advance to
the next stages they will
travel to the winner of York
City Knights v Sheffield
Eagles on the weekend of
April 22nd/23rd.
THUNDER DUO IN 2023
RUNNING CHALLENGE
General manager Jordan
Robinson and club
videographer/match-day
announcer Andy Sixsmith
have been and will be taking
part in a series running
challenges throughout the
year.
All in the name of charity,
the pair are raising funds
for some fantastic causes
and we ask, if you are able
to, to please donate to both
their JustGiving pages:
Jordan’s JustGiving.
Andy’s JustGiving.
Every donation is massively
appreciated.
10 11

Thunder Community Learning
Disability Rugby League
returns in March 2023.
Thunder Community is gearing up for an action-packed season for their
Learning Disability Rugby League (LDRL) squad.
LDRL is a variant of the rugby league game and ensures individuals with
learning disabilities can access and enjoy the game. The sessions aim
to engage participants in an inclusive environment, helping individuals
to develop skills and build fitness and confidence, whilst making new
friends.
COMMUNITY
NEWS
We currently have 8 enthusiastic registered participants and our team
would love to welcome new faces to join the sessions in 2023.
Thunder Community’s LDRL sessions will kick off on Monday 27th March
from 5:30-6:30 pm at Kingston Park Stadium. All abilities are welcome,
and no experience in rugby league is required.
For more information and to register your interest, please email
community@newcastle-thunder.co.uk
Newcastle Thunder Moody Cup
2023 is open for entries.
Thunder Community is delighted to welcome all
junior rugby league clubs from across the UK
to Kingston Park Stadium for the return of the
Moody Cup grassroots festival.
This year, the Moody Cup will take place on
Sunday 5th August 2023, ahead of the Newcastle
Thunder’s Betfred Championship fixture against
Widnes Vikings.
Supported by Cramlington-based Moody
Logistics, the event will be one of the largest
grassroots festivals in the North East. The
Moody Cup will see the return of the popular fan
zone with live entertainment, and plenty of food
and beverage stations, including the famous
Kingston Park BBQ.
The Moody Cup will be a fantastic competition
for players from U6 through to U16, allowing
grassroots clubs the opportunity to go up
against teams they may not have played before,
adding to the enjoyment of the day.
The Moody Cup is open to all grassroots clubs and
free to enter. Matches across all age groups are
nine-a-side, and all participants will receive a
complimentary match ticket for the Newcastle
Thunder game that follows. Spectators can
purchase a £5 discounted ticket.
For more information or to enter a team, please
contact community@newcastle-thunder.co.uk.
14 15
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @falcons_community Facebook: Falcons Community Twitter: @FalconsCF LinkedIn: Newcastle Rugby Foundation

Ball Steal
Not 10
Rugby League is played by two teams of 13
players, playing on a pitch that is 100m
long.
Games are played in two 40-minute halves,
with the team with the highest score after
the combined 80 minutes winning the game.
You may run forwards with the ball, and you
may kick the ball forwards, but as in rugby
union, you can only pass the ball backwards
or sideways.
If you pass the ball forwards or knock the
ball on (that is deflect the ball towards the
opposition, try line by contact with the
body or arms) possession is handed over to
the opposing side.
In rugby league, teams are allowed up to six
tackles to score. Once a player is tackled,
the tackler must let go of the ball carrier
and his teammates must retreat 10 meters.
The ball carrier is allowed to stand up and
then play the ball back to a team mate to
start the process again.
If a team is tackled a sixth time, possession
of the ball is handed over to the defending
team who gain possession of the ball from
the spot of the tackle.
Try – Worth four points a try is scored when
downward pressure is applied to the ball on
the ground in the opponents in-goal area.
The ball can either be ran into the in-goal
area or kicked through and touched down.
Conversion – After scoring a try teams
can add additional points by successfully
kicking a goal called a conversion. Taken
from a spot 20 meters from the goal line
and perpendicular from where the try was
scored. Kicking the ball over the crossbar
and between the posts scores two points.
Penalty – If the opposition commits a foul,
teams can opt to attempt to score a goal
by kicking the ball between the posts and
over the crossbar from the spot where the
infringement took place, this also scores
two points.
Drop Goal – A drop goal can be scored by
kicking the ball through the posts and any
point in open play. To score these, the ball
must be dropped onto the ground before
being kicked. Worth just one point, a drop
goal is rarely seen, but in close games it
can be the difference between victory and
defeat.
In summary, if you can count to six, you are
going to enjoy a game of rugby league.
When two or more people are involved in
a tackle, a ball steal occurs when a player
from the defending team takes the ball off
the attacking player who has been tackled.
Dissent
If a player disputes decisions taken by the
referee or verbally abuses the officials
then a penalty for dissent may be awarded.
Double Movement
If the ball carrier is tackled and held before
the try line and then lifts their arm
to reach out and place the ball over the try
line, this is classed as a double movement
with a penalty awarded to the defending
team
High Tackle
If a defending player contacts the head of
the attacking player carrying the ball, a
penalty for a high tackle will be awarded.
Late Tackle
If the attacking player passes the ball to a
team-mate and the defender has had time
to pull out of his attempted tackle but carries
through, he has committed a late tackle
and will be penalised.
When a player doesn’t retreat behind the
next 10m line or goes too early when defending
the next tackle of a set, a penalty
will be awarded. This can also be awarded
as an offside penalty.
Obstruction
When an attacker prevents a defender from
getting to the ball carrier to effect a tackle
by getting in between the two players, a
penalty is awarded for obstruction
Offside
As well as an infringement around being
10m from the play the ball, offsides can also
be awarded in instances where players are
in front of a kicker.
Tackle in the air
If a player has jumped to take the ball in the
air and the defending player makes no attempt
to play at the ball, but instead goes
straight for the player or makes a tackle
before the gathering player returns to the
ground, a penalty will be awarded
For a host of other offences, referees will
simply reset the tackle count bay awarding
a “Six Again”
This is signaled by the referee waving a
clenched fist above his head from left to
right.
To make it more difficult for the other team
to score, the attacking team will usually
kick the ball away on the fifth tackle to
increase the distance between the opposition
and the try line.
A team will run with the ball, get tackled,
play the ball backwards and repeat this
process up to six times in the attempt to
score up to six points at a time, before the
other team will have a go.
The object of the game is to score more
points than the opposing team with several
ways to do this during a match.
16 17
17

ALEX
FOSTER
I started playing rugby
“when I was 8 years old.
Alex Foster is only in his second season at
Newcastle Thunder but the former Castleford
Tigers forward has stepped into the role of
captain for the 2023 season.
Featuring 17 times for the North East outfit so
far and scoring five tries in the process, the
29-year-old insists his past experiences can
help drive the club forward as they challenge in
the Betfred Championship.
“I started playing rugby when I was 8 years old. I
grew up in a small town called Knaresborough in
North Yorkshire, where there isn’t actually a lot
of rugby league.
“My parents were both from Bradford and they
encouraged me to follow the Bulls in an era
where they were very successful, so it was great
to be a fan at that age.
“My local team were Wetherby Bulldogs, who
were fantastic for me,” says Foster, who’s most
recent outing saw him a try-scorer in Thunder’s
16-58 victory over Stanningley SARLC in the
Betfred Challenge Cup.
“They really helped me push my game throughout
all the amateur ages, up until I signed for Leeds
Rhinos Academy, when I was 16.”
18

professional and be a unit.
Nothing changes in that regard
and there will be no barriers
between us.
“It’s a
massive
privilege
to be the
captain
of this
club.
On top of a number of loans,
Foster went on to sign for
London Broncos before moving
to the club he supported as a
youngster, Bradford Bulls.
“It was a bit of a dream come
true, I was over-the-moon to
sign but never really got the
chance to cement my spot as
the club unfortunately went in
to administration.
“I then found myself signing for
Super League side Castleford
Tigers. Which looking back,
worked all for the better as I
had a great time there, playing
some good rugby in a very
successful Castleford side.
“My time at the Tigers was
probably the making of me as a
player.”
Speaking on his time at the
side hailing from Yorkshire,
Foster delves into why he was
able to push his game forward
and said: “The coaches were
fantastic, especially with
their attention to detail.
“Having that style of coaching
and direction for myself as
well as the opportunity to play
with some exceptional individuals
was just incredible for
me. It really was a recipe for
success.”
Foster was part of the Castleford
Tigers squad that were
runners up in the 2021 Challenge
Cup. The fixture was
played out at Wembley in front
of a 40,000-supporter strong
crowd: “The best advice I’ve
been given about big games is
to focus on the process and not
the occasion. You don’t want
the nerves and the event to get
the better of you.
“Being out there was no different
to any other game but
looking back and remembering
the feeling I had stepping onto
the pitch, it really was incredible.
Hearing the roar of the
crowd was something I had
dreamed of growing up and the
whole occasion was amazing.”
Foster signed for Newcastle
Thunder in 2022 and despite
a difficult year for the club
on and off the pitch, the loose
forward insists the 2023 provides
a new opportunity: “Last
season didn’t work out how we
planned but coming into this
season, it’s a new challenge
and one that I’m excited to be
a part of. Especially being the
captain of this great group of
players.
“Together we said we will be.
With Chris Thorman appointed
as head coach for 2023, Foster
discussed the impact the
former Super League standoff
has had at the club: “Chris is a
fantastic coach and a brilliant
guy. He’s obviously a Geordie
lad as well which I think is
massive for the club.
“He’s so passionate and I think
it’s fantastic to have someone
of his stature leading the way.
“He’s got experience coaching
at big organisations such as
Huddersfield Giants and he’s
very well admired from their
ends, which speaks volumes.
“Also, as a player, he played
over in Australia for
Parramatta Eels, which not a
lot of Super League players
do. It just shows what a great
rugby league player he was and
a great person he is for the
club.
It was Thorman who appointed
Foster as captain of Newcastle
Thunder for the season, a role
which he is incredibly proud
to take on: “It’s a massive
privilege to be the captain of
this club.
“There’s been some good
leaders in the past, so to be
put in the same bracket as
them is something huge to me.
We’ve got some great lads here
and to lead this group is very
humbling.
“Chris asked me before a
session, and I was delighted
to accept. It’s something I’d
actually been thinking about
myself.
“It might be something that
doesn’t necessarily come
naturally to me but it’s
something that I want to grow
into and being the captain, I
think can help push me to excel
in terms of my game as well.”
Alluding to what he believes
makes him a strong leader of
the group, Foster added: “I’m
pretty level-headed and bring
a bit of calmness to the team,
especially in moments when it
is a bit frantic and emotional.
“Other than that, I’d say my
experiences are pretty vital
20 21

“The city itself is fantastic,
the Quayside is beautiful
and being able to go over to
the coast at Tynemouth is
amazing.”
and pivotal to me in being a
captain, there’s been some big
games I’ve played in and I’ve
been a player where I’ve seen
the game fall away.
“Having been through those
scenarios I think is something
substantial to bring to the
table.”
Away from the game, Foster
has also been focusing his time
on other areas of development:
“Moving to part-time has
allowed me to focus on things
away from rugby.
“It’s been pretty rewarding
finding other avenues I can go
down to make myself better
in other aspects of life than
purely the rugby playing
elements.
“I’ve started a course in
financial planning which is
going great so far. I’ve just
been looking at things to keep
me busy and that can maybe
help me for when my career
comes to an end.
“For a lot of players it’s
difficult knowing what to do
when it is time to hang up your
boots, so I’m happy that I’m
taking steps to help me in the
future.”
Adopting Newcastle as his
home for another year, the
North Yorkshire native
discussed his affinity to the
North East: “I love the city. Both
me and my wife do.
“The city itself is fantastic,
the quayside is beautiful and
being able to go over to the
coast at Tynemouth is amazing.
“We really feel like we’re at
home here and we’re really
enjoying our time here. The
club has been fantastic,
they couldn’t do more in
accommodating me and making
me feel at home too.
“At Newcastle Thunder, we’ve
got incredible staff and
facilities, to help us become
the players we believe we can
and should be some day.”
23

Name
Thunder
career
apps
Thunder
career
points
Thunder
career
tries
Season
2023
apps
Season
2023
points
Season
2023
tries
Name
Thunder
career
apps
Thunder
career
points
Thunder
career
tries
Season
2023
apps
Season
2023
points
Season
2023
tries
Jake Anderson 8 0 0 1 0 0 Brad Gallagher 25 16 4 3 0 0
Connor Bailey 49 28 7 6 4 1 Jack Johnson 39 104 26 6 16 4
Denive Balmforth 5 0 0 5 0 0 Matthew Laidlaw 1 0 0 1 0 0
Gideon Boafo 26 44 11 0 0 0 Evan Lawther 3 8 2 3 8 2
Jay Chapelhow 32 4 1 5 0 0 Jake Lightowler 1 0 0 0 0 0
Ted Chapelhow 43 8 2 6 0 0 Jack Miller 3 14 1 3 14 1
Alex Clegg 56 128 32 6 24 6 Connor Moore 5 4 1 5 4 1
Mitch Clark 3 4 1 6 0 0 Daniel Okoro 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rhys Clarke 161 196 25 6 0 0 Nicholas Staveley 2 0 0 2 0 0
Nathan Clemmitt 6 0 0 0 0 0 Robert Tuliatu 3 0 0 3 0 0
Curtis Davies 7 0 0 7 0 0 Marcus Walker 5 4 1 5 4 1
Alex Donaghy 26 36 9 3 0 0 Mac Walsh 2 0 0 2 0 0
Max Flanagan 1 4 1 1 4 1 Nikau Williams 6 34 2 6 34 2
Alex Foster 17 16 4 5 4 1 Alex Young 6 8 2 6 8 2

OFFICIAL CLUB PARTNERS
HERE AT KINGSTON PARK WE OFFER
FIRST-CLASS HOSPITALITY AT ALL OUR
FALCONS HOME GAMES.
HOSTED BY OUR WELCOMING AND
FRIENDLY TEAM WE PROVIDE GREAT
RUGBY AND SO MUCH MORE.
26
FIND OUT MORE:
PHONE: 0191 214 2892 EMAIL: CORPORATESALES@NEWCASTLE-FALCONS.CO.UK | W W W. N E W C A S T L E FA LC O N S .C O.UK

1.
1. 1. 1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1 Jack Johnson
Fullback
2 Alex Young
Wing
3 Marcus Walker
Centre
4 Connor Wynne
Centre
17 Robert Tuliatu
Prop
18 Jake Lightowler
Loose forward
19 Nathan Clemmitt
Loose forward
20 Gideon Boafo
Wing
BTS Boiler
Technical
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
1.
1.
1.
1. 1.
1.
1.
1.
5 Alex Clegg
Wing
6 Alex Donagh
Standoff
7 Nikau Williams
Centre
8 Jay Chapelhow
Prop
21 Evan Lawther
Centre
22 Jake Anderson
Prop
23 Connor Moore
Prop
24 Daniel Okor
Prop
The Tynemouth
Castle Inn, part of
The Inn Collection
Group
The Mosley
Family
Jan & Jim
Neighbour
Derwent View
Group
1.
1.
1. 1. 1.
1.
1.
1.
9 Curtis Davie
Hooker
10 Mitch Clark
Wing
11 Alex Foster ©
Second row
12 Brad Gallagher
Second row
25 Max Flanagan
Fullback
26 Mac Walsh
Centre
27 Jack Miller
Standoff
28 Matthew Laidlaw
Prop
Ludwell
Electrical
Ludwell
Electrical
THE PARKER
FAMILY
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
1.
1. 1.
1.
1.
13 Connor Bailey
Loose forward
14 Denive Balmforth
Hooker
15 Ted Chapelhow
Prop
16 Rhys Clarke
Prop
29 Nick Staveley
Prop
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
28 29

FIXTURES & RESULTS
JANUARY
F: SAT JAN 18 V KEIGHLEY COUGARS (L 12-24)
FEBRUARY
BC: Sun Feb 5 v Swinton Lions (W 6-18)
BC: Sat Feb 11 v Toulouse Olympique XIII (L 58-0)
BC: Sun Feb 19 v Keighley Cougars (L 44-24)
BC: Sun Feb 26 v Featherstone Rovers (L 56-6)
MARCH
BC: Sun Mar 5 v Barrow Raiders (D 18-18)
BCC: Sat Mar 11 v Stanningley SARLC (W 16-58)
BC: SAT MAR 18 V LONDON BRONCOS (3:00PM)
BC: Sun Mar 26 v Widnes Vikings (3pm)
APRIL
BCC: Sat/Sun Apr 1/2 v Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC
(TBC)
BC: FRI APR 7 V SHEFFIELD EAGLES (3PM)
BC: Sun Apr 16 v Whitehaven RLFC (3pm)
MAY
BC: SUN MAY 7 V HALIFAX PANTHERS (3PM)
SB: Sun May 28 v Sheffield Eagles (3pm)
NEXT TIME AT KP
V SHEFFIELD EAGLES
FRI APR 7th
BETFRED CHAMPIONSHIP
Kick-off: 15:00
JUNE
BC: FRI JUN 2 V BRADFORD BULLS (7:45PM)
BC: SUN JUN 11 V BATLEY BULLDOGS (3PM)
BC: SUN JUN 18 V KEIGHLEY COUGARS (3PM)
BC: Fri Jun 23 v Sheffield Eagles (7:30pm)
JULY
BC: Sun Jul 2 v London Broncos (3pm)
BC: SUN JUL 9 V WHITEHAVEN RLFC (3PM)
BC: Sun Jul 16 v Halifax Panthers (3pm)
BC: SUN JUL 30 V SWINTON LIONS (3PM)
AUGUST
BC: SAT AUG 5 V WIDNES VIKINGS (3PM)
BC: Sun Aug 20 v Bradford Bulls (3pm)
BC: FRI AUG 25 V YORK CITY KNIGHTS (7:45PM)
SEPTEMBER
BC: SAT SEP 2 V TOULOUSE OLYMPIQUE XIII (3PM)
BC: FRI SEP 8 V FEATHERSTONE ROVERS (8PM)
BC: SAT SEP 16 V BARROW RAIDERS (3PM)
BC: Sun Sep 24 v Batley Bulldogs (3pm)
KEY: BC = Betfred Championship, BCC = Betfred Challenge Cup,
SB – Summer Bash, F = Friendly.
(Home games in capital letters)
A WHOLE RANGE
OF FEATURES!
• Exclusively live matches
• Predictor game & prizes to win
• Comprehensive Match Centre
• Regular fan poll & Player of the Match votes
• Save on tickets with Rewards4Rugby League
• Exclusive news & video content
30

IN OPPOSITION
LONDON BRONCOS
The side hailing from the capital, London Broncos find
themselves in a similar position the Newcastle Thunder.
The club sit just one place below Thunder in the table in 12th.
From five fixtures played so far this season, the Broncos
have won once and lost the other four. Their only victory
coming against Whitehaven RLFC in round 2. Away from
home, London secured a 16-20 victory at the LEL Arena.
The Broncos would see some disappointment in their losses
this seaosn, falling short by some of the narrowest margins.
In round 3, they fell to a 26-18 defeat at the hands of Halifax
Panthers before just losing out 20-21 to Sheffield Eagles
in round 4.
The Bronco’s other two losses in the league came against
Batley Bulldogs in the opening round and newly promoted
Keighley Cougars last time out.
London would see some encouragement from their Challenge
Cup third round tie against fellow Betfred Championship
club Whitehaven RLFC. The Broncos showed their class in a
32-10 victory at home to advance into the third round.
MIKE ECCLES
London Broncos are led by Mike Eccles who took charge of
the club back in September 2022, embracing the role as
director of rugby and performance.
Eccles has previously led the side on an interim basis in
2022 following the sacking of Jermaine Coleman.
The 37-year-old initially joined the club back in 2012,
assisting the club in a strength and conditioning and
sports science role.
London Broncos director of rugby and
performance Mike Eccles
32 33

IN OPPOSITION
THREE TO WATCH
JARRED BASSETT
The Australian full-back joined the Broncos
from their capital neighbours London Skolars
ahead of the 2023 season.
In his maiden season at the Skolars, Bassett
featured 16 times for the club and returned an
incredible 19 tries.
The 31-year-old has been a consistent feature
on the Broncos teamsheet so far this season.
Featuring in all five league games, Bassett has
scored two tries including one in the club’s only
Championship victory against Whitehaven RLFC.
Bassett was also influential in the Broncos
Challenge Cup victory over the same opposition.
Scoring a hat-trick of tries in the club’s 32-10
victory and seeing them through to the fourth
round.
ILIESS MACANI
Iliess Macani has an impressive try-scoring
record for the London Broncos, where in just
over 100 appearances for the club, he has
scored 41 tries.
The 29-year-old made his try-scoring debut for
the club in 2013 against St. Helens and in total
has 14 Super League appearances to his name.
Macani during his 12-season career has also
enjoyed stints at London Skolars, Bradford Bulls
and Sheffield eagles before returning to the
Broncos in 2022.
The winger who is also comfortable at full-back
has featured four times for the club this season.
WILL LOVELL
London Broncos’ second-row or centre Will
Lovell has featured over 120 times for the club,
returning 19 tries.
The 29-year-old made his debut against the
Catalans Dragons back in 2012 and also has
enjoyed a two-year spell at the club’s London
neighbours, London Skolars across the 2015 and
2016 seasons.
In total he made over 50 appearances for the
Skolars, scoring 11 tries which ultimately
earned his recall back to his first club.
Lovell retuned to the Broncos in 2017 and was
named club captain ahead of the 2020 season.
34 35