Match Report: Newcastle Thunder v Hunslet RLFC Betfred Championship Round 14

Newcastle Thunder produced a dominant second half performance to down a spirited Hunslet side in a physical encounter on Tyneside.

A scrappy first half saw Thunder take the lead after seven minutes, Myles Harrison broke down the right and he found Jordan Lipp to score his first of the afternoon. Harrison converted to give Thunder an early lead.

On 15 minutes, Thunder scored their second of the afternoon as Will Roberts chipped, regathered and found Noah Whittingham to go over to score. Harrison added the conversion to give the Tynesiders a 12-0 lead.

Referee Moore gave Andy Djeukessi a yellow card for delaying the restart after Thunder had kicked through. Hunslet rallied and turned up the pressure and physicality. Ant Walker and Pauli Pauli were introduced from the bench and their carrying caused the Thunder defence problems.

The pressure told on 27 minutes. Ant Walker turned provider and his deft pass found Jowitt who went through a gap to score. Jowitt converted his own try to take the score to 12-6. The remainder of the half was scrappy with knock-ons and penalties traded including a yellow card for Dan Abram who took ex-Hunslet man Jude Ferreira out off the ball. Just before the hooter Thunder were awarded a penalty and Harrison opted to kick the goal to take the score to 14-6.

It felt as though the first score in the second half was huge and it went to Thunder. Nikau Williams scored a sensational solo effort to dance through the Hunslet defence and Harrison converted.

On 47 minutes, Lipp doubled his tally for the afternoon. Thunder had the feed and the ball went to Lipp who went through a gap in the Hunslet defence to score. Harrison added the conversion. On 55 minutes Thunder looked to exploit the width again; Brad Ward broke, he passed to Williams who found Bailey Antrobus who went over. Harrison missed the kick but Thunder led 30-6.

Hunslet were tiring at this point and couldn’t reset quick enough against a Thunder side playing with tempo. Sam Cook broke and fed Jordan Lipp who found Will Roberts to go over for the first of his two tries in quick succession. Harrison added the conversion to extend the lead to 36-6.

Lipp turned provider again as he found himself at dummy half on the last. It was a score from nothing as he put through a delightful grubber kick. Roberts dived on it to score. Harrison converted and it was 42-6 after 63 minutes.

Lipp got his hat trick on 70 minutes as Cook got the ball from a Hunslet knock-on and raced up the pitch. Roberts showed excellent work rate to give his teammate support and he found Lipp to go over. Harrison missed the kick but Thunder led 46-6.

The final try of the game came after Thunder were awarded a penalty. The ball found its way to Justin Sangare who barged his way over to score, Harrison converted and that took the score to 52-6.

This was a physical encounter with hits flying in throughout, but as Thunder upped the tempo in the second half and their attack clicked, Hunslet couldn’t get into the game.