Match Report: Keighley Cougars v Newcastle Thunder Betfred Championship Round 16

Newcastle Thunder produced their best performance of the season as they took a 0-74 victory against Keighley Cougars in the Betfred Championship running in 14 tries in the process.

The first quarter was really competitive with the home side throwing everything they could at Thunder but from then on Thunder controlled the game and put in the type of performance that they have threatened.

Thunder’s first try of the game came on 13 minutes when Jordan Lipp found Brad Ward to score acrobatically in the corner to give the Tynesiders a 0-4 lead. Both sides were on the wrong end of the referee’s whistle in the first quarter as penalties were traded. Some good kicking also saw the teams trade goal line drop outs.

Thunder’s next try came on 25 minutes, as Keighley attacked, Will Roberts intercepted and found Jordan Lipp in support. Foggin-Johnston did well to track across to tackle Lipp but quick ball saw Thunder find space on the right and Jack Smith went over to score to take the score to 0-8. That try was the first of five tries in a 15 minute spell before half time that blew Keighley away.

Thunder then capitalised as Brenden Santi was tackled high. From the penalty, Thunder went wide again and Lipp found Ward to go over for his second of the afternoon; Harrison added the conversion to give a 0-14 lead. Thunder then gained territory following more Keighley ill-discipline, providing the platform to work through the set. Ryan Jackson ran a hard line to score and Harrison converted to take the score to 0-20.

At this point Thunder were playing some excellent free-flowing rugby - Pemberton and Roberts managed offloads from the tackle not giving Keighley a chance to reset. Roberts found Lipp who then put Smith in for his second of the afternoon. Harrison added the conversion to take it to 0-26. Keighley did rally but Thunder’s workrate in defence turned the ball over.

The final try of the half came just before the break from Nikau Williams and his dancing feet that refused to be tackled - he turned the Keighley defence inside out. Will Roberts was then able to go over to score, Harrison converted to take it to 0-32 at half time.

Thunder’s scoring got back underway after 44 minutes. A clever Jack Smith kick forced a knock on. From the resulting scrum the ball found Jordan Lipp who fed Andy Djeukessi who put the afterburners on to score in the right corner. Harrison missed the kick but Thunder led 0-36.

On 48 minutes, Thunder’s next try was scored as Bailey Antrobus crashed his way over the line, Harrison converted to extend the lead to 0-42. On 53 minutes Brad Ward got his hatrick, Taylor Pemberton was the creator as his miss pass from dummy half was superb to find Ward to score on the left to extend the lead to 0-46.

Moments later, Lipp the creator turned to scoring. He floated behind the attacking line and got the ball to ghost through a gap in the Keighley defence, Harrison added the conversion to

extend the lead to 0-52. On 60 minutes, fresh from the interchange bench, Brenden Santi scored a close range try on his return to Cougar Park, Harrison converted and Thunder led 0-58.

Lipp’s second of the afternoon came after Keighley had knocked on. From the feed Lipp got the ball and ran in to score, Harrison missed the kick but Thunder led 0-62. Keighley then threatened but the hunger in the Thunder defence to keep Keighley scoreless was evident as George Flanagan was held up over the line. Flanagan then conceded a penalty for dissent, which gave Thunder territory. Ukuma Ta’ai’s strong run set up the position for the ball to work its way to Djeukessi to go over for his second of the afternoon. With Harrison having been replaced, Roberts took over kicking duty and converted.

The final try of the game came on 72 minutes as Mitch Clark powered his way over to score, Roberts converted to take the final score to 0-74. There was still time for Keighley to threaten but Thunder defended doggedly to keep Keigley out, to nil an opponent was a really pleasing part of this victory.

This was a real team effort from Thunder and arguably they put in their most complete performance of the season. Keighley couldn’t cope as Thunder showed some of their best free flowing rugby.

Next up we host Rochdale at home on Sunday 21st June at 15:00 at Blaydon Rugby Club.

by Phil World.