Cumbria Crush Nigeria 70–6 in Rugby League Return Match

Nigeria’s men’s national rugby league team suffered a humbling comeback to international action after a 70–6 defeat to Cumbria in a one-sided clash at the Northern Competition Stadium in Barrow.

The encounter, witnessed by 1,475 fans, marked Nigeria’s first competitive appearance in two years. However, the Green Machine struggled to keep pace with a dominant Cumbria side that controlled possession, territory, and physical exchanges from start to finish.

Cumbria opened the scoring inside five minutes when Luke Broadbent crossed the line after a slick move orchestrated by Jake Carter. Further tries from Ellis Archer and Ellison Holgate quickly stretched the lead to 16–0, setting the tone for a long afternoon for Nigeria.

Shane Toal sprinted 30 metres to score beside the posts before Archer added his second try to make it 26–0 midway through the first half. Despite a brief spell of resilient defending, Nigeria couldn’t contain Cumbria’s pace and precision. Additional tries from Curtis Teare and Luke Creswell gave the hosts a commanding 38–0 lead at the break.

Cumbria’s dominance continued after halftime, with Carter, Teare, and Connor Holliday all getting on the scoresheet. Brad Singleton then combined with Creswell for another try, as Creswell completed his hat-trick to seal a 70-point haul for the hosts.

Nigeria’s only consolation came in the 70th minute when Doncaster’s Muzzi Mustapha powered over the line for a well-earned try, converted by Rio Corkill.

Played in freezing conditions on a heavy pitch, the match highlighted the gulf between Nigeria’s developing rugby league programme and the established structures of England’s northern counties.

Despite the heavy loss, Nigeria’s coaching staff remained upbeat, describing the fixture as a valuable learning experience and a crucial step in rebuilding the team’s international competitiveness after a two-year hiatus.