Match Report: Newcastle Thunder v Workington Town Betfred Championship Round 8

Newcastle Thunder produced a dominant display in difficult conditions against a direct Workington outfit. Thunder’s victory was built on a first quarter which they dominated, scoring three tries and leaving Workington chasing the game.

A swirling wind coupled with downpours at Crow Trees made for difficult conditions for both teams but it was Thunder who scored first. The Thunder defence forced an error and from the resulting scrum Jordan Lipp got the ball and passed wide to Jack Smith to score in the corner, Will Roberts missed the kick.

The second try of the afternoon saw King Vuniyayawa crash over for his first try for Thunder after thirteen minutes. Roberts converted and Thunder led 10-0. After scoring his first in Thunder colours, Vuniyayawa didn’t have to wait long for his second. Jordan Lipp fed Roberts who then found Cody Hunter who was tackled well by the Town defence. A quick ball made its way to Vuniyayawa to score his second of the afternoon.

Town turned to their bench at this point and the introduction of Grant Reid and Delaine Bedward-Gittens started giving them some real go-forward. Town’s direct play was being matched by the Thunder defence which left Town trying to force the game by going wide but passes were being dropped in the wind.

The rest of the first half was a scrappy affair with Thunder happy to kick for the corners and play for territory. They then soaked up Workington pressure in defence. Thunder led 16-0 at half time.

It was Workington who started the second half the better of the two teams and pressure told when a grubber kick was sent on the last and Thunder failed to deal with it. Jack Ainley capitalised to score.

Shortly after on fifty five minutes, Smith doubled his tally for the afternoon after Hunter found Lipp who fed Smith to score.

Teams on Tyneside have been known to be entertainers and this Thunder side is no different. Taylor Pemberton stole the ball on the halfway and then toyed with two Workington defenders to find Hunter to score.

The entertainers continued as Pemberton broke again shortly after and found Myles Harrison for him to score, Roberts converted and the game was away from Workington at 32-4.

The final Thunder try of the afternoon was another trademark Thunder break. This time from Jordan Lipp who found Roberts on the inside to score, he converted his own try.

Workington did rally as conditions worsened when Alex Donaghy raced over in the corner against his old side. Dom Wear was on kicking duties and the fact his conversion went backwards showed how bad conditions had become.

A dogged Workington side came up against a Thunder attack on form this afternoon, they stuck to their task and led by Reid carried hard.

This Newcastle Thunder side look dangerous when they go wide, and they play some lovely stuff too.

In true Newcastle spirit, this entertainers side is a great watch as they move up to fourth in a congested Betfred Championship.

by Phil World