Match Report: Midlands Hurricanes v Newcastle Thunder

Newcastle Thunder started their Betfred Championship campaign with a trip to Midlands Hurricanes at their new home of Avery Fields.

In a game played in testing conditions including fog and rain throughout it was a cagey start with both sides going hard and completing sets.

Thunder opened the scoring with a carry from Cody Hunter who was impressive on debut for Thunder. Jack Smith added the conversion to give an early 0-6 lead. Midlands were using their carriers to try and cause Thunder's defence problems this was led by Tyler Dickinson who carried relentlessly all afternoon for Midlands. After a spell of Midlands pressure Thunder scored a try through Noah Whittingham on debut who carried over following a break and Jack Smith converted.

Through Danny Craven and the slippery Lewis Else, Midlands continued to pile on the pressure especially down the Thunder right edge where Jack Smith and Andy Djeukessi were doing well dealing with the threat of Matty Chrimes. The pressure did eventually tell when Craven put up a high kick which Chrimes took really well just ahead of Djeukessi and dotted down really well. The conversion was missed.

In the first half Thunder lost Joe Law and John Sagaga to injury. Law had looked assured in the centre with some nice touches and playing a part in a strong Thunder defensive effort and Sagaga had put in one huge hit deemed to be late but looked very lively!

Thunder did have chances to score before half time but they couldn't quite click in attack, some credit must go to Matt Dunning's side who stood firm and were well organised in a tough first half. Half time came and the score was 4-12.

Conditions during the second half worsened with the fog coming in and the rain getting steadily heavier than it had been in the first half, this made for tough conditions albeit on a fast artificial surface. Thunder were first to score in the second half when Roberts went over and Jack Smith converted taking the score to 4-18.

Tempers threatened to boil over with a high shot on Djeukessi and then Leo Tennison and Tyler Dickinson came together during a Tennison carry. Thunder kept their heads when it could've boiled over.

With Thunder using the interchanges and players injured there wasn't any drop off when Ukuma Ta'ai, Leo Tennison, Aidan McGowan and Maxime Rostang were called on. Ukuma put in a big shift and his carrying and experience were invaluable. Leo carried really hard off the bench, Aidan slotted in at centre and showed real assurance and Maxime came on and maintained the pace of the ball.

Cody Hunter went on a run and got his second of the afternoon, capping an impressive debut for the Aussie playmaker and Jack Smith converted. Will Dagger who marshalled the Thunder defensive line and was rock solid at full back got a deserved try late on to seal the game for Thunder, Smith missed the conversion in worsening conditions.

Midlands were to have the last say to their credit and scored a late try from a lovely line from Johnson which Sully Medforth converted to leave the final score at 10-28 and a hard earned victory for Newcastle Thunder.

Next up

It's Challenge Cup week and Thunder make the trip to take on Doncaster in a 15:00 kick off at The Eco-Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Your support will be appreciated.

by Phil World