Newcastle Thunder 16-42 Hunslet RLFC
Hunslet picked up another 2 points and moved into third place in the Betfred League 1 after a scrappy win at a rain soaked Blaydon RUFC.
The game was scheduled to be played at Gateshead Stadium, but a last minute change after the pitch was waterlogged saw Hunslet travelling to a nearby Rugby Union Club.
Kicking off in heavy rain Hunslet took the early initiative scoring on only 2 minutes after Newcastle had conceded a penalty. Quick passing to the left saw Jack Render on a welcome return sneak in at the corner. 0-4
More pressure nearly saw Render score again, but the big winger mishandled close to the line. However, on 9 minutes fast hands and a George Flanagan run-around sent Jimmy Watson (appearing on the wing) in at the right hand corner. 0-8
So far so good. Newcastle were giving away penalties and Ross Whitmore came close to stretching the Parksiders’ lead. But on 17 minutes with Hunslet on the attack the ball went to ground and Thunder fullback Alex Donaghy ran the full length to score, before converting his own try. 6-8
This gave Newcastle impetus and they slowly grew into the game. Hunslet mistakes invited Newcastle pressure and on 25 minutes after being camped on Hunslet’s line Evan Lawther took the ball out wide to score. Frustratingly for Hunslet on the last tackle. 10-8
Hunslet were guilty of overplaying when the conditions didn’t suit it, but their best set came after Flanagan took a kick and was fouled. The Parksiders worked their way upfield and on the last tackle were rewarded when a Flanagan kick rebounded to Paga who scored under the posts. Beharrell converting 10-14.
Just about deserving the half-time lead Hunslet pounced on the hooter, Newcastle dropped the ball as the ref was about to blow and Jude Ferreira scooped up to score. Beharrell converting. Hunslet lead at the break 10-20.
The second half started much the same with Hunslet forcing the pass and conceding possession to Newcastle. But the Parksiders line held strong. Tomlinson and O’Hanlon combining well in defence.
The try of the match came on 47 minutes when Jude Ferreira stole the ball and fed Jack Render down the left wing. Quick passing to the right saw Paga and Flanagan draw the defence beautifully before setting Alfie Goddard on a romp to the line. Beharrell converting 10-26
Newcastle were not done though, on 57 minutes Thunder got the ball out of a tackle and running against the grain Elliot Shaw found an easy path under the posts. Donaghy converting 16-26.
With 15 minutes to go the game was still in the balance. But Hunslet finished strongly. George Flanagan (today playing at full-back) was a constant threat and after he and Aaron Levy tested the Thunder defence Beharrell shipped the ball out to Jude Ferreira who couldn’t be stopped in the left hand corner. 16-30
With defences tired Hunslet finished strongly. Interchange Liam Carr stretched out to score on 71 minutes and then after Flanagan forced a drop-out Carr made it a brace on the hooter bouncing off a defender to dive over. Beharrell converted both and Hunslet took the win 16-42.
It wasn’t a classic performance and Hunslet were guilty of overplaying at times. Having said that they scored some fantastic tries against a determined home side. George Flanagan was always a threat and it was good to see Jordan Paga back in a Hunslet shirt. It was also good to see Liam Carr come off the bench and bag a brace of tries late on.
Hunslet travel to North Wales Crusaders next Sunday (21 July).
Image alexboe.photography
Teams
Hunslet RLFC: Flanagan, Watson, Goddard, Ferreira, Render, Paga, Beharrell, Hallas, Whitmore, Knowles, Jordan-Roberts, Levy, Syme, Berry, Tomlinson, Carr, O’Hanlon, Coventry.
Newcastle Thunder: Donaghy, Jeremy, Lawther, Croston, Towse, Siddle, Shaw, Hughes, Russell, Price, Rushworth, Payne, Gibson, Bate, Stoker, Skelton, Lowery, Bradley.
