Match Report: Widnes Vikings v Newcastle Thunder 1895 Cup Quarter Final

A second half fightback saw Widnes Vikings take a 30-20 victory over Newcastle Thunder in the 1895 Cup quarter final.

Thunder started the brighter of the two sides and scored a fourth minute try as Noah Whittingham ran a lovely line and found Myles Harrison on his shoulder to score, Harrison converted to give Thunder an early 0-6 lead. On 14 minutes Thunder doubled their lead. Bailey Antrobus picked up a loose ball and it made its way to Jude Ferreira to score, Harrison converted and Thunder led 0-12.

Widnes did look dangerous and looked to exploit space around the ruck but the Thunder defence held firm. Thunder looked to play on the last throughout the game and it nearly came off when Ferreira tried to find Ward on the left.

On 37 minutes Thunder scored their third of the half as Ferreira found Ward on the left to score and Harrison converted. That took the score to 0-18 at half time but Widnes did look threatening.

Widnes raced out of the blocks in the second half and scored through Jack Billington as he crashed over, Hayes converted and the score was 6-18. On fifty one minutes Thunder were awarded a penalty as Widnes were offside at the ruck, Harrison kicked to extend the lead to 6-20.

From there Widnes ramped up the pressure on Thunder and they defended bravely to keep them out until sixty four minutes when Max Roberts went over, Hayes converted and the score was 12-20. Widnes went back to back as momentum was with them, they kicked high on the last and regathered for Sam Wilde to score, Hayes converted and the score was 18-20.

Widnes were dominating at this point and broke again but Brenden Santi tracked back brilliantly to intercept. On 70 minutes Widnes took the lead as Wilde went over for his second of the afternoon, converted by Hayes who was excellent from the tee to take the lead to 24-20.

Thunder were chasing the game at this point but a forward pass as we attacked saw Widnes re-gain possession. On 77 minutes Widnes sealed their victory as Jack Owens went over, Hayes converted and the final score was 30-20.

Thunder will regroup and look to go again as we take on Goole Vikings on Friday night at Blaydon in a 19:30 kick off.

by Phil World