Good start to the league season from Broncos Women yesterday with a 38-22 win against Bedford at The Rock. Tropical conditions made things tricky at times in what turned out to be a tight game until the later stages. Bedford seemed to be an improved side over last season, particularly in the backs. Didn't see it but there was also a development game prior to the SL South league match which shows progress is being made in growing the player base.

Another good win today for the women. After a close first half (12-10 HT ?), the team seemed to get to grips with some elusive play in the centres from The Army. They they looked stronger as the game progressed and defended well to secure a 40-10 victory inflicting a first league defeat for The Army this season. Good to see strength from the bench and a development game at half time.

Big game for the women on Saturday against Cardiff (3.30pm KO at Richmond Athletic Ground).

Both teams are unbeaten so while a home tie in the playoffs is in the bag this will decide who tops the league and takes the momentum into the final stages.

The Men's Reserves face St Helens in the warm up game at 1pm.

Broncos Women lost 8-10 in the top of the table clash against Cardiff Demons which I think means we will play The Army at home in the playoff semi.

A scrappy game in wet conditions between well matched sides with Broncos probably making a few too many errors to build sustained periods of pressure.

It's quite likely the teams could meet again in the final and based on this it will be difficult to pick a winner.

Really good to see the Women's team going strongly and with a decent shout of a finals appearance.

We have a pretty good record against the Army too if I recall correctly, so fingers crossed!

The semi final vs Army will be this Sunday 13th August. 2pm at Rosslyn Park.

Great 22-12 win against the Army in today's semi final. Despite missing several players the Broncos came through and could easily have won by more creating several good opportunites to close the game out earlier. The additional depth in the squad shows the progress that has been made this season.

The final will be at home on 27-Aug. Currently scheduled to be at Rosslyn Park but with the men also at home that day it would be great to see this made into a double header.

Long range weather forecast ( I know,,,,but you've gotta at least try) says that it's going to be mainly warm and dry between now and the final with a possible thunderstorm further west, but I suspect that AFC will be loathe to have 3 games on their pitch that weekend because whilst we are down to host Whitehaven at 3pm on the Sunday, our hosts will have played 24hrs earlier v Forest Green.

Great effort for the ladies to make the final again. Let's hope that the RFL look to expand the main comp and include the south?
Women's sport is a huge growth area (I've been blown away by the crowds down here for the football) and one that we need to invest in. Be sure, the likes of Harlequins and Ealing Trailfinders aren't putting out sides in their comp for the fun of it.....there's huge potential and 2 divisions of 9 with 16 regular season games and play offs can only help to grow it. Alas. I suspect the RFL and associated member clubs will consider the expense of travel etc too much and keep it as the 'us and them down south" malarky that we have now.

As an aside. Could the Women's side be moved permanently back to Trailfinders? Rosslyn Park is a tip and if we want to attract fans and players, then a set up like Trailfinders has to be preferable to the relic. I can see loads of benefits and very little downside to returning there. With clever scheduling, we could ensure that the Ladies and Men don't clash giving those die hard fans a chance to follow all the sides without the risk of a stand collapsing on them

Broncos are the champions beating Cardiff 22-10 in today's final.

A great game which the Broncos had to dig deep to win. Fantastic performance showing how far the team have come in a short space of time. A real shame the club did not make this a double header as it was a great advert for the women's game. Decent crowd though and I'm sure all enjoyed it.

Fantastic News. I wonder if London will be invited (with Cardiff) to join the top table next year?

The women's game will be restructured for 2024. Tier 1 will be 8 teams with Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors and York Valkyrie (i.e Women’s Super League Group 1) already given spots. They will be joined by 2 teams from Women’s Super League Group 1 (one as champions and one through playoffs).

Tier 2 will have 32 teams spread over four leagues (North, Roses, Midlands and South). Tier 2 will have a national champion determined through playoffs with the winner playing the bottom-placed side in Tier 1 for a spot in the top league (providing minimum criteria are met).

Tier 3 will be local leagues.

Broncos are probably currently at the standard of Women’s Super League Group 2 having beaten the bottom side Castleford in the Challenge Cup but not yet at the level of what will be the Tier 1 sides.

Agree with level london are playing at the moment. No way could they compete with likes of York and saints. I watched York v Hull kr and there is a big gulf in standards

Great win - just watched the highlights .
Congratulations to all concerned!