Broncos call Oldham defeat a reset before 1895 Cup final 2026

Key Points

• It was London Broncos’ first Betfred Championship loss of 2026, having been defeated by Oldham RLFC 34-24 at Boundary Park on 16 August 2026.
• Coach Jason Demetriou stated that this was a “reset” and that “the right reaction” to this loss is “everything” as the team strives to claim 1895 Cup and play-off success.
• This loss brought an end to London Broncos’ 21-game winning streak in the Championship and also meant the Broncos have now lost all four 1895 Cup tie that they were supposed to play before the final that will take place on 31 August against Widnes at Warrington.
• Demetriou pointed out that poor discipline during late tackles and the inability to capitalize on “key moments” as being the reasons behind the loss, although he praised Oldham for their high completion rates and possession.
• London remain the leaders in the Championship table and they will qualify to play in the next round of the play-offs after having played against Halifax and Swinton before the season ends.

Oldham (Manchester Mirror) August 22, 2026 – London Broncos’ unbeaten Betfred Championship record for 2026 ended as uk/local/oldham/">Oldham RLFC secured a 34-24 victory at Boundary Park, according to match reports from the club and league coverage. As reported by Lynsey Coleman of London Broncos RL, the sides went into the break level at 18-18 after a fiercely contested first half in which momentum swung between the two teams.

Oldham opened early through Josh Drinkwater inside five minutes, with Morgan Smith converting to give a 6-0 lead, before London responded with tries from Lewis Bienek and Neil Tchamambe, both converted by Dean Hawkins, to move 12-6 ahead. Luke Forber then crossed for Oldham to restore parity at 12-12, and Elliot Wallis’ try put London back in front before Ben O’Keefe’s score on the stroke of half-time left it 18-18 at the interval, as detailed in the club’s match report.

The second half proved decisive. As reported by Love Rugby League, Forber scored twice early in the half to complete a hat-trick and put Oldham in control, while Jake Bibby’s try with 12 minutes remaining stretched the advantage to three scores. London rallied through Ben Hursey-Hord late on, but could not find another breakthrough, and the final whistle confirmed the Broncos’ first league defeat of the season, per coverage from Total Rugby League and the RFL round-up.

Jason Demetriou’s response: why does London Broncos boss call Oldham defeat a reset?

London Broncos head coach Jason Demetriou said the “right response” to the first league loss of the season is “everything” as the club continues its chase for 1895 Cup and play-off success, according to Total Rugby League. The Australian coach had no complaints about the 34-24 setback at Oldham, which ended a Championship winning run of 21 matches, and framed the result as a necessary reset for the squad.

As reported by Total Rugby League, Demetriou said:

“We didn’t do that at Oldham, and coupled with poor discipline at the back of the field, that meant they were able to put us under pressure and put fatigue into us.” He added: “The positive was that we stuck in there and made the game as close as we did, but I feel an outcome like that has perhaps been coming.”

Demetriou noted that opponents are motivated to knock over a side with London’s record this year, citing Widnes’ near-miss earlier in the month before London won 42-36 at the DCBL Stadium.

“When you have the record we have this year, teams want to knock you over, and we have to cope with that,”

he said, before crediting Oldham’s performance.

“They were motivated, they had extremely high completion, they starved us of possession and they played some good football. We need to take the result as a reset.”

What are London Broncos’ next fixtures after Oldham loss in Championship?

Following the defeat, London Broncos host Halifax Panthers at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Sunday, 23 August 2026, before playing their final regular-season game against Swinton Lions at Richmond Athletic Ground on Saturday, 5 September 2026, according to Total Rugby League and the RFL preview. The Broncos will enter the play-offs at the second stage, having already secured a high finish that grants a later entry point, as outlined in league coverage.

Demetriou emphasised the need to “nail key moments in games” heading into the post-season, pointing to missed opportunities and discipline issues at Oldham as areas to address. The club’s match report noted attention now turns to responding in the next fixture and building on an impressive start to the campaign, per Lynsey Coleman of London Broncos RL.

How did Oldham’s win affect the Championship play-off race?

Oldham’s victory strengthened their grip on third place and kept them in contention for second spot in the Betfred Championship, according to Love Rugby League and the RFL round-up. As reported by Love Rugby League, Oldham are level on points with Newcastle Thunder, with the pair four clear of nearest challengers Doncaster with just two games left, intensifying the race for the opening week of the play-offs.

The result also denied London the chance to secure the League Leaders’ Shield in Round 24, as noted in the RFL’s round-up, while Oldham’s belief heading into the play-offs was boosted by handing the Broncos their first league defeat of 2026, per Serious About RL. With three clubs realistically vying for the final two play-off spots, the closing rounds are set for an exciting conclusion, as summarised in league coverage.

What is the 1895 Cup final schedule for London Broncos and Widnes?

London Broncos have secured a place in the 1895 Cup final after four victories in the competition, and will face Widnes Vikings at Warrington on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August 2026, according to Total Rugby League. The table-topping Broncos had also triumphed once in the Challenge Cup before losing 26-8 at home to Bradford in round three, as reported in coverage of their season progress.

The final at Warrington represents a key opportunity for silverware alongside the Championship play-offs, with Demetriou framing the Oldham result as a reset ahead of these decisive fixtures.

Background of the development

London Broncos entered 2026 as Championship title favourites and had built a 21-match winning run in the league before the trip to Boundary Park, according to Total Rugby League and club reports. The side had also progressed through the 1895 Cup with four wins to reach the final, while their only prior defeat of the year came against Bradford in the Challenge Cup, as outlined in season summaries. Oldham, coached by Alan Kilshaw, were in pursuit of a top-two finish and viewed the fixture as a benchmark test, with their victory described as a “red-letter day” in local reporting and a crucial boost to play-off hopes, per Total Rugby League forums and league round-ups.

Prediction: how can this development affect London Broncos supporters and play-off aspirations?

For London Broncos supporters, the Oldham loss is likely to sharpen focus on discipline and execution in key moments rather than trigger alarm, given the club’s position at the top of the table and a play-off entry at the second stage, as indicated by Demetriou’s comments and league standings. If the squad treats the defeat as a reset, as the coach has urged, the effect could be a more measured approach in tight games during the 1895 Cup final and the play-offs, potentially improving decision-making under pressure. For the wider fanbase, the result may temper expectations of an invincible season while reinforcing the narrative of a competitive campaign with multiple trophies still within reach, including the 1895 Cup final against Widnes on 31 August and a deep play-off run, according to fixture schedules and coach statements.