South of England beaten by Australia & New Zealand Exiles

   10/10/2026

SOUTH OF ENGLAND 12 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND EXILES 22
MATT ANNIS, Twyford Avenue Sports Ground, Acton, Saturday 

SOUTH may have both opened and closed the scoring, but the Exiles had the better of exchanges, despite the dismissal in the first half of Jimmy Russell for an alleged punch. 

Jimmy Lambert crossed for South – who are selected from teams beyond Rugby League’s perceived northern heartlands – Luke Drummond improving.

The Exiles, whose players in the main represent sides in the National Conference South, went in front with unconverted tries by Joel Strasser and Dylan Leney. 

Russell’s exit though did little to dent the Exiles’ hopes, a touchdown for Tamati Gribble helping forge a 12-6 interval lead. 

George Brown and Lachlan Crossle posted further scores, Benji McKay adding the Exiles’ only goal, before Will Armour grabbed a consolation try for South of England – who travel to Scotland Bravehearts on Saturday – and Drummond landed his second goal.

SOUTH: Jimmy Lambert (Coventry Bears), Leighton Ball (Wests Warriors), Leon Atherton (All Golds), Ben Telfer (Brixton Bulls), David Bofenda (North Herts Crusaders), Eddie Atherton (North Herts Crusaders), Luke Drummond (Elmbridge Eagles), Dom Stock (Wests Warriors), Doug Chirnside (London Chargers), Max Nissinen-Li (Bedford Tigers), Finn Holt (Sherwood Wolf Hunt), Ben McGuinness (Brixton Bulls), Coryn Ward (Nottingham Outlaws). Subs: Paddy Tennant (Elmbridge Eagles), Alex Deery (North Herts Crusaders), Charlie Whittington (London Chargers), Ben Foskett (Telford Raiders), Callum Dockerill (Bedford Tigers), Brandon Swindles (Bedford Tigers), Sean Belbin (Elmbridge Eagles), Dylan Stone (Telford Raiders), Harry Kaufman (Coventry Bears), Jake Cummins (Elmbridge Eagles), Leon Bird (Hammersmith Hill Hoists), Will Armour (London Chargers), Mason O’Neil (Medway Dragons).

EXILES: Joel Strasser (Hammersmith Hill Hoists), James Duchatel (Hammersmith Hills Hoists), Tamati Gribble (Wests Warriors), Benji McKay (Hammersmith Hills Hoists), George Brown (London Chargers), Tyler Rush (Hammersmith Hills Hoists), Jack Ryan (Hammersmith Hills Hoists), Matt Jessop (Hammersmith Hills Hoists), Jimmy Russell (Hammersmith Hills Hoists), Lachlan Crossle (Hammersmith Hills Hoists), Thor Eastwood (Wests Warriors), Josh Stevens (Lock Lane), Dylan Leney (Wests Warriors). Subs: John Burland (Wests Warriors), Leo Ruggeri Falaniko (London Chargers), Chris Kerkow (Eastern Rhinos), Justin Dunnet (Wests Warriors), Easton Pollard (London Chargers), Callum Corey (Hammersmith Hills Hoists), Devante Waho (Wests Warriors).