Match Report: Doncaster RLFC v Newcastle Thunder Challenge Cup Round 2

Sunday afternoon saw Newcastle Thunder travel to take on Doncaster in The Challenge Cup second round. This was a real classic cup tie and although Thunder eventually lost out 24-22 there's a lot that can be taken from this gam

Both teams started by trading early sets and it took until the sixteenth minute for the scoring to open after an extremely physical start from both teams with ill discipline playing its part. Doncaster were attacking down the left deep in Thunder territory and Andy Djeukessi did excellently to intercept, race away and score to the joy of the Thunder fans. Cody Hunter added the extras.

After Doncaster were awarded a penalty, they missed touch and Thunder were piling the pressure onto Doncaster after this. They forced a goal line drop out and a penalty and went to the corner. From there Ryan Jackson made a big carry to score, Hunter missed the conversion but Thunder led 0-10 after twenty two minutes.

Thunder had done a brilliant job in handling the power that Doncaster had thrown at them to this point. Pauli Pauli made a real impact for Doncaster off the interchange bench and his ability to tie in defenders was starting to open up space for Doncaster. Thunder were deemed to have knocked on and the pressure told and Luis Johnson who had a really good game for Doncaster, went over and the conversion was added by Connor Robinson.

By this point the hits were flying in and the carries were hard from both teams knowing a home time against Castleford was on the line, this was a real advert for cup rugby. Both sets of supporters were backing their teams. Although neither team was helping themselves with slowing the ball and costing them six again mid-way through sets.

Thunder's discipline cost them again as Doncaster were awared a penalty from offisde close to the line. Pauli Pauli was given the ball and he smashed his way through the Thunder defence to score, the conversion was good from Robinson and Doncaster led 12-10 after thirty six minutes.

Straight after, from kick off Doncaster attacked again, really targeting the area around the ruck. They attacked from deep and good interplay saw Tom Holmes score, Robinson missed the conversion but Doncaster led 16-10 just before the break.

Thunder weren't done in a first half which saw interchange Kieran Hudson go off injured not to return to the pitch. From kick off Pauli Pauli made a charge at the Thunder defence but Thunder matched him and forced the knock on. With the clock ticking to half time, Thunder showed patience and then the ball made its way to Will Roberts who danced through the Doncaster defence to score on the hooter. Cody Hunter converted and at half time it was 16-16.

The second half started with a continuation of the first half both sides were going at it. In the fourty sixth minute on the last tackle, a kick was sent over to the right hand side and Luke Briscoe climbed highest to score. Robinson converted to put Doncaster back in the lead at 22-16.

Thunder's discipline again proved costly as a late tackle gave Doncaster a penalty. They chose to kick at goal and Robinson scored to take their lead to 24-16 after fifty minutes.

From the kick off which Thunder sent low, they forced a Doncaster error to knock on into touch. This allowed Thunder to build more pressure, Cody Hunter thought he was in to score but the Thunder attack was judged to have obstructed Doncaster. Jordan Lipp intercepted a Doncaster attack from deep and made good ground but good Doncaster defence thwarted the Thunder break.

More strong Doncaster defence was to follow as Ukuma Ta'ai was held up over the line and then a knock on was forced by Doncaster. Shortly after the pressure eventually told and Taylor Pemberton darted over to score, Hunter added the conversion and it was 24-22 after fifty nine minutes.

All the momentum of the game seemed to be with Thunder at this point, as we went through our set from kick off Bailey Antrobus, fresh from the interchange bench stayed down after a tackle. He was helped from the pitch and momentum was sucked from Thunder. We wish Bailey all the best with his recovery and hope to see him back on the pitch soon.

The last quarter of the game saw the teams continue to go at each other. There was a moment of brilliance from Cody Hunter to unlock the Doncaster defence with a chip and chase but the Doncaster defence rallied again to thwart Thunder.

Good Doncaster game management meant that Thunder were having to attack from deep as the clock was ticking in the second half. There was also some strong Thunder defence as Doncaster attacked forcing turnovers.

Doncaster nearly sealed the game as Connor Jones nearly scored a brilliant solo try but somehow the heroic Thunder defence never gave up and chased and held him up on the line. Thunder were attacking the Doncaster goal line as the hooter went. Thunder went wide but the Doncaster defence held firm and sent Thunder into touch and to win the game 24-22.

Thunder put in a huge shift, although they may rue their discipline at times which invited more Doncaster pressure on. Injuries meant there were big minutes from the bench and Taylor Pemberton put in a big shift playing the full eighty minutes at hooker. Although disappointing to go out of the cup, this group will take a lot from that game against a big, physical Doncaster side. Brenden Santi played his first game following injury and Ryan Jackson carried on his work rate from the Midlands game. Thunder were backed by a healthy away support who made themselves heard throughout. Pauli Pauli's introduction from the interchanges in the first half swung momentum towards Doncaster.

This was a real advert for cup rugby and the two teams left everything out on the pitch, congratulations to Doncaster on their victory and good luck in the next round against Castleford Tigers.

For Thunder it's a trip to Whitehaven next Sunday afternoon with a 15:00 kick off at The Ortus Rec as we're back to Betfred Championship action.

Line Ups

Doncaster: 1 Tom Holmes, 5 Luke Briscoe, 4 Reece Lyne, 23 James Glover, 18 Edene Grebbie, 7 Connor Robinson, 6 Cory Aston, 10 Suaia Matagi, 19 Connor Jones, 25 Gadwin Springer, 12 Alex Sutcliffe, 22 Luis Johnson, Muizz Mustapha.

Interchanges: 3 Brad Hey, 16 Pauli Pauli, 20 Isaac Misky, 21 Tyla Hepi.

Newcastle Thunder: 23 Adam McGowan, 2 Andy Djeukessi, 27 Jordan Lipp, 11 Harvey Reynolds, 5 Brad Ward, 6 Cody Hunter, 7 Will Roberts, 10 Ryan Jackson, 9 Taylor Pemberton, 8 Bailey Antrobus, 12 Noah Whittingham, 24 Matthew Foster, 15 Brenden Santi.

Interchanges: 14 Maxime Rostang, 16 Leo Tennison, 18 Ukuma Ta'ai, 26 Kieran Hudson.

by Phil World