Match Report: Newcastle Thunder v Goole Vikings Betfred Championship Round 14

Newcastle Thunder produced a dominant second half performance to beat Goole Vikings as they ran in 11 tries on the night on Tyneside.

It was Goole who scored the first try of the game after Thunder tried to play on the last, the pass found the floor and Tom Halliday gathered and ran in from his half to score and give the Vikings an early lead, the conversion was missed by Miller.

It was a scrappy first half where knock ons and penalties were exchanged but Goole turned up with a plan and executed it well.

Thunder’s first try of the game was scored by Brad Ward. Taylor Pemberton darted and the ball made its way to Jordan Lipp who put Ward in the corner. Harrison missed the conversion.

On 27 minutes Goole took the lead as Liam Watts crashed over from close range and Jack Miller converted. Watts was excellent for Goole in that first period and they missed his experience when he went off.

The introduction of Mitch Clark and Ukuma Ta’ai off the bench gave Goole no rest despite sticking to their plan. The carrying of Clark, Ta’ai and Brenden Santi was crucial for Thunder when they weren’t at their best in the first half but got them back into the game.

Taylor Pemberton’s energy from dummy half was rewarded on 32 minutes when he scored a lovely solo try jinking through the Goole defence to score, Harrison converted and the scores were even.

The game-changing moment came just before the hooter as a high tackle from Halliday gave Thunder a penalty. Ward got the ball and rounded his opposite man and found Jude Ferreira on the inside to score. Harrison converted, taking the energy out of a Goole side who had executed their plan brilliantly in the first half.

The second half saw Thunder blow Goole away. Jordan Lipp fed Andy Djeiukessi to go over to extend Thunder’s lead. Harvey Reynolds then scored a seven minute hat trick, for his first he ran a lovely line and Harrison converted. Shortly after, Lipp broke and fed Reynolds to score his second which Harrison converted. The hat trick was another nice line from Reynolds to go over. Harrison converted and Thunder were rampant.

On 60 minutes, as Thunder were in complete control of the game, Ryan Jackson barged over under the posts and Harrison converted to take the score to 44-10. On 65 minutes Reynolds turned provider and, as he broke, he found Lipp to score.

On 70 minutes Andy Djeukessi doubled his tally for the evening as he was on the end of a sublime back of the hand pass from Harrison to go over in the right corner, Harrison converted off the post.

The final try of the evening was scored by Brad Ward as Harrison assisted again to allow Ward to acrobatically finish in the corner. Harrison converted to take the score to 62-10.

It really was a dominant second half from Thunder who ran in 42 points.

by Phil World