MATCH REPORT // Sheffield Eagles 40 v 0 Newcastle Thunder

Unable to build on their Keighley Cougars triumph, Thunder suffered a humbling defeat in Round 16 of the Betfred Championship as Sheffield Eagles ran riot.

Thunder would go into the fixture hoping to build on their victory at home to Keighley Cougars the previous week – where they showed grit, determination and fought right to the end.

Unable to replicate their performance this time around, Sheffield proved exactly why they are now second in the standings.

The hosts led 18-0 at the interval but a four-try second half ensured they would walk away with the two points.

Titus Gwaze opened the scoring after 12 minutes, powering through and with Cory Aston adding the extras the score stood 6-0.

Jack Hansen was next on the scoresheet after some well-worked handling exploited gaps in the Thunder defence. Aston converted and Sheffield were now 12 points to the good.

The half-back pairing of Hansen and Aston would combine for the Eagles’ third score. Hansen with a kick-through, which wasn’t dealt with by Thunder saw Aston pounce and dot down. Converting his own score, Aston’s goal saw his side go into the break 18-0 in front.

Relentless in attack the Eagles scored eight minutes into the second through Vila Halafihi. The hooker grubbered a kick through the Thunder defence and claimed it for his own, diving under the posts. Aston, who was impressive from the tee, added the extras and the hosts now led 24-0.

The encounter soon turned feisty with a triple sinbinning all at once, two to Thunder and one to Sheffield. A Mitch Clark and Kris Welham clash saw them both sent to the sidelines alongside Curtis Davies who was shown a yellow for dissent.  

Prop forward Mikey Wood would extend the Eagles’ lead, crashing over from close range and with Aston once again on target with the conversion, Sheffield were now 30-0 up.

A try from Matty Dawson-Jones and a second from Cory Aston rounded up the scoring for the hosts and the latter converting one out of the two, saw the score at the full-time whistle 40-0 to Sheffield Eagles.

NEWCASTLE THUNDER SCORERS

TRIES:

GOALS:

SINBIN: Mitch Clark, Curtis Davies.

SHEFFIELD EAGLES SCORERS

TRIES: Titus Gwaze, Jack Hansen, Cory Aston 2, Vila Halafihi, Mikey Wood, Matty Dawson-Jones.

GOALS: Cory Aston 6.

SINBIN: Kris Welham. 

Photography credit: Mike Bayly