GRAND FINAL REPORT | London Broncos Dons

The Dons ended the 2026 Betfred Championship season as runners up after defeat to London Broncos in the Grand Final at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

After a 33-18 victory in the Preliminary Final at Newcastle Thunder, Richard Horne opted to name an unchanged XIII.

It was the hosts who opened the scoring nine minutes in. On the right, Jimmy Meadows was able to weave his way through to ground. He also made no mistake with the resulting conversion.

Moments later, London had their second try. Siliva Havili fed the ball to Dean Hawkins, who went over on the right. Meadows successfully converted.

The lead was extended 16 minutes in. Meadows was able to find space to score his second try of the afternoon. His conversion was good, leaving the score at 18-0.

Despite Dons having momentum in search of a response, London were able to ground for a fourth time 27 minutes in. On the right, Neil Tchamambe went over to give his side a healthy lead. Meadows was unable to convert.

33 minutes in, the advantage was increased. After spotting a gap, Robert Mathias scored on the left. Meadows’ conversion made it 28-0.

120 seconds later, London were over again. Elliot Wallis collected the ball in the air and brought it down to score. Meadows couldn’t convert.

With the break looming, the hosts had another. Havili drove forward and scored on the right. Meadows’ successful conversion brought the first half to an end.

Half-time: London Broncos 38 Dons 0

Two minutes into the restart, London scored again. On the right, Brandon Webster-Mansfield grounded. Meadows made no mistake with his conversion.

Tchamambe then got his second try of the final when he also grounded on the right. Meadows’ conversion went wide.

50 minutes in, London had another. After being found on the right, Webster-Mansfield grounded. Hawkins stepped up to take the conversion, but it sailed wide.

Moments later, the hosts extended their advantage further. Connor O’Beirne found space and went over on the left. Gairo Voro’s resulting conversion was good, making it 58-0.

On the 61-minute mark, the Dons got themselves on the scoreboard. Luis Johnson powered through the London defence to ground on the right. Connor Robinson made no mistake with his conversion.

London responded with a further try. On the left, Voro dived over to score his second try. His resulting conversion was successful.

A passing error allowed the hosts to score again. Wallis ran away and grounded on the left. Voro converted.

With five minutes remaining, London found another. Emarly Bitungane went under the posts to score. Voro’s conversion was good.

On the siren, a Luke Smith penalty became the final points of the Championship season, leaving the score at 78-6.

Despite the result, it has been a season to be proud of. Thank you to every supporter for your backing throughout the year.

We will see you all in 2027!

Dons: Holmes, Briscoe, Lyne, Boas, Faraimo, Aston, Robinson, Knowles, C. Jones, Mustapha, Sutcliffe, Johnson, J. Jones. Interchanges: Matagi, McConnell, Smeaton, Whitehead.