London Broncos move two home games to Kent as part of double headers
Photo Credit: Alan Stanford/PRiME Media Images
London Broncos will once again play two Championship fixtures away from their regular home ground this summer.
Due to annual pitch maintenance at the Cherry Red Records, home of AFC Wimbledon, the Broncos are to take back-to-back home matches to the Kuflink Stadium in Ebbsfleet in July.
The games against Newcastle on July 2 and Toulouse on July 8 will be played at the 4,769-capacity home of Ebbsfleet United, who have just been promoted to the National League, the fifth tier of English football.
Last year, the Broncos revealed plans to play at least one match a year in Kent to support the development of rugby league in the south east.
They played twice at the Kuflink Stadium in 2022, including the thrilling game against Sheffield where the Broncos overturned a 28-0 half-time deficit to win 36-28.
Local lad Oli Leyland converted all six tries in front of a crowd of approximately 750.
The following week, on July 10, London hosted Featherstone Rovers and were beaten 42-22.
Home advantage
A win over Barrow at home last Sunday was the last time London Broncos will play at the Cherry Red Records Stadium until the end of July.
That starts an end of season run-in that sees Mike Eccles’ side play six home games out of eight to complete the Championship season.
They recovered from a slow start last year to navigate away from the Championship relegation places, and this season have won four out of 11 games to put them 10th in the table, four points off the play-off places and three points clear of the relegation zone.
The Broncos have won on the road in the league against Whitehaven and Newcastle, as well as picking up home wins over Swinton and the Raiders.
This weekend they travel to York in the Challenge Cup sixth round, and they still have the 1895 Cup semi-finals to look forward to as they fight for a spot to reach Wembley.
A Broncos spokesperson said: “Prior to the games in Kent, Leyland brothers Oli and Bill will be visiting local schools to meet the children to do some coaching and introductory rugby league sessions.
“Local clubs and schools will be involved on both gamedays, with the opportunity to visit the stadium and watch the games, and to be on the pitch to participate in the guard of honour.
“The growth of Rugby League has been evident since the success of the World Cup with increased participation and coverage of the Sport.
“Jumping on the bandwagon of the growth of Women’s Sport and with our current investment into a developing Academy set up, this is a particularly exciting opportunity to showcase the variety of talent at London Broncos and to increase coverage and engagement with Rugby League in the South.”
The game against Newcastle on July 2 will be followed by a match between the club’s respective elite academy sides (5pm kick-off).
The following weekend, London Broncos women’s team will take on Bristol Gold Ferns (3.30pm) following the men’s game against Toulouse.
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