Match Report: Swinton Lions v Newcastle Thunder Betfred Championship Round 5

Sunday afternoon saw Newcastle Thunder travel to take on Swinton Lions in the latest round of the Betfred Championship.

It was Thunder who scored first when Cody Hunter found a gap in the Swinton defence to go over, Jack Smith converted and Thunder led 0-6. The early score spurred Swinton into their life and they upped their intensity in their defensive efforts which continued throughout the afternoon.

Hunter doubled his tally for the afternoon after a period of Swinton pressure saw him intercept and go the length to score and Jack Smith converted to give Thunder a 0-12 lead. Swinton got a deserved try next when Harry Higham beat two Thunder defenders to score in the corner and take the score to 4-12 as the conversion was missed.

Captain, Taylor Pemberton who had another excellent game for Thunder darted over from short range for a deserved try, Smith missed the kick but Thunder led 4-16. Swinton then had a period of pressure where defensively and offensively they threw a lot at Thunder but Thunder stood firm to keep the Lions out.

Next up Cody Hunter fed debutant Sam Cook who ran a line that the Swinton defence couldn't deal with to score a debut try. Cook was another one who had an impressive game, his experience was showing organising Thunder. Smith converted and Thunder led 4-22. The final score of the half was scored late on as Brad Ward was on the end of a Jordan Lipp miss pass to go in the corner, Smith missed the conversion but Thunder led 4-26 at half time.

The second half was more of an attritional affair with Thunder throwing a lot at the Swinton defence but they upped their efforts. Tom Inman scored a darting try from close range to take the score to 4-30 with the conversion missed. With fifteen minutes to go Cody Hunter completed his hat-trick, he got the ball and dummied and then went to the gap inside to go over, Smith converted and the score was 4-36.

The last fifteen minutes saw both teams have chances but the defences held firm. This was a really phyiscal encounter despite the scoreline with the Swinton defence looking to stifle the Thunder attack and put in some big shots. To their credit there was times when Thunder scrambled really well to get back, they also got off the line quickly throughout the game to put the Swinton attack under pressure. 

This was another mature performance from Thunder on the road. At times when Swinton threatened, Thunder rallied and found a way to relieve the pressure. Swinton did throw a lot at Thunder, erspecially in the first half, led by captain Gav Rodden who set the tone. But it was Thunder who took the win.

The final score was 4-36 and Thunder maintained their unbeaten away form in the league to move up to seventh in The Betfred Championship.

Next week sees 1895 Cup action as Thunder travel to Workington in a 15:30 kick off next Sunday.

by Phil World