Armed Forces Day preview

Saturday afternoon sees Newcastle Thunder host their flagship fixture as they take on Whitehaven on Armed Forces Day. This is a double header with the Royal Navy taking on Scotland A at 13:00. There’s loads going on at Blaydon, so get down early and make the most of the day, support rugby league and our armed forces. 

This is a big day for the club and I know this is something that has been planned and a lot of time put in to make this happen. I’d encourage as many people as possible to get down and show your support.

Since we played Whitehaven earlier in the season, they have a new coach in former club captain James Newton. Newton has come in and given his side belief and they’ve had some excellent victories including at Midlands. With Lee Butterworth running the club they have someone who works hard and has given them some direction but is also realistic. His first season in charge of the club was tested by the departure of Anthony Murray but his appointment of Newton proved to be very shrewd. Under Butterworth’s leadership, Whitehaven appear to be getting back onto a sound financial footing and from the outside looking in, Butterworth gets it and understands the club.

They’re a group of local players who play for their coach and they’re a proud, tight knit group. They’re currently sitting 13th in the league having won five and drawn one game. They were hit with injuries in defeat at Sheffield last weekend. They have named a 19 man squad including Jordan Burns and playmaker Ciaran Walker, the experienced Marc Shackley and the carrying threat of Brad Brennan.

Thunder were good last week and will be pleased with keeping a side to nil for the second week running. At times they were lacking accuracy in attack and will look to resolve some of that clunkiness. But ultimately Thunder are winning games and that’s all they can do at the moment. They’re playing some of the most entertaining rugby league that many long-term Thunder fans can remember and when they attack it’s a joy to watch. 

On Saturday, I expect Whitehaven will come with a plan to try and slow and frustrate Thunder, it’s going to be warm and humid so conditions could make it tricky. As we saw last week, the likes of Clark, Jackson, Santi and Antrobus punched holes and made ground keeping the team on the front foot. I expect no different this week, Justin Sangare is back in on loan to add an extra carrying threat. As we’ve seen with previous games, teams will come out hard and we’ll have an early storm to weather but Thunder are strong in the second quarter. On a hot day, Thunder's ability to use the interchanges is going to be crucial.

One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be an exciting day of rugby league down at Blaydon.

Newcastle Thunder: 1. Myles Harrison, 2. Andy Djeukessi, 3. Joe Law, 4. Jude Ferreira, 5. Brad Ward, 7. Will Roberts, 8. Bailey Antrobus, 9. Taylor Pemberton, 10. Ryan Jackson, 12. Noah Whittingham, 13. Sam Cook, 15. Brenden Santi, 17. King Vuniyayawa, 20. Mitch Clark (loan), 22. John Sagaga (loan) 25. Jack Smith (loan), 27. Jordan Lipp (loan), 32. Justin Sangare (loan).

Whitehaven: 1. Jordan Burns, 2. Mitchell Todd, 4. Ethan Bickerdike, 5. Jay Weatherill, 6. Ciaran Walker, 7. Jack Newbegin, 8. Jake Pearce, 9. Ellison Holgate, 11. Connor Holliday, 12. Rio McQuistan, 13. Jack Kellett, 16. Brad Brennan, 19. Dave Eccleston, 20. Marc Shackley, 23. Ben Pearce, 24. Lewis Brown, 31. Xenden Callander, 32. Liam Williamson, 35. Jackson Smith,

Referee: A. Williams

Reserve Referee: L. Dabbs

Touch Judge 1: A. Billington

Touch Judge 2: O. Maddock

Time Keeper: R. Johnson

Venue: Crow Trees

Kick off: 16:00

Betfred Championship

Widnes Vikings v Oldham (home win)

Goole Vikings v Rochdale (away win)

Newcastle Thunder v Whitehaven (home win)

Batley Bulldogs v London Broncos (away win)

Halifax Panthers v Doncaster (away win)

Keighley Cougars v Swinton Lions (away win)

Salford v Barrow Raiders (away win)

Sheffield Eagles v Dewsbury Rams (home win)

Workington Town v Hunslet (home win)

There’s some quality games to look forward to this weekend with the game of the weekend taking place on Friday night as two in form sides in Widnes and Oldham lock horns. This has the real feel of a play-off game as 4th host 5th, Oldham survived a scare at Workington last weekend whilst Widnes brushed aside Hunslet. I think home advantage could tell here and Widnes will take a tight victory.

Saturday sees Goole play their third game in seven days following a victory of Keighley and a loss to Midlands in the week they host a Rochdale side who will be looking for a performance following their defeat to Thunder on Sunday. Goole were hit by injuries during the week, this could have an impact and see Rochdale take a win on the road. Saturday also sees Newcastle host Whitehaven, Whitehaven are another team who struggled with injuries in defeat at Sheffield last weekend. I expect Thunder to win this one.

Sunday’s action sees six games taking place, Batley host London and I expect London to win comfortably and continue their steamrolling of the Betfred Championship. Halifax host Doncaster and although I expect Halifax to put up a fight, Doncaster will be too strong for them as they look to start closing the gap on those above them. Keighley host Swinton which puts two sides against each other who are on contrasting runs. Keighley are looking for new owners and their form is poor whilst Swinton arrive on the back of a really good win at Midlands last time out. I think Swinton will take this one. 

Salford, a side who are play-off chasing host another form side in Barrow. I think Barrow will win this one but Salford will make it tough. Sheffield host Dewsbury in what could be a tough, physical encounter. I think Sheffield at home will edge this one. Finally, another tight encounter could be at Workington where they host Hunslet. Workington came close to surprising Oldham last week while Hunslet were outclassed by Widnes. If Workington can repeat the performance against Oldham they could take this one.