Big cup clash as Widnes host Thunder

Sunday afternoon sees Newcastle Thunder travel to take on Widnes Vikings at Robin Park Arena, Wigan in the quarter final of the 1895 Cup. This is a great challenge for Thunder to go and take on an established Championship side who are flying high in the Betfred Championship table. The 1895 Cup has taken a fair bit of stick this season but as we approach the business end of the competition, this game means a lot to both clubs.

Widnes have had an identical record in the league to Thunder having won nine and lost three of their Championship games, only points difference separates the two sides teeing things up nicely for what could well be a ferocious encounter on Sunday afternoon. 

Widnes have lost to London, Barrow and Doncaster and there’s no shame in that. In recent weeks they’re on a roll and have won five in a row. Back in February they pushed Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup. Allan Coleman has assembled a battle hardened squad and there’s a couple of familiar faces for Thunder fans with Jay Chapelhow and Sam Wilde involved at Widnes. Although Chapelhow isn't named in the squad for this weekend.

Widnes have a rich history having won the Challenge Cup seven times and are a bit of a sleeping giant in rugby league terms. In 1989 they were World Club Champions. Interestingly along with Thunder they were the only Championship clubs to vote against Nigel Wood being made RFL Chairman, so the two clubs have a similar outlook on the game.

For Thunder this is going to be a great challenge against a side who will be up there in the play-off race come the end of the season. We saw at Doncaster earlier in the season we can push teams all the way. This is a period of relentless fixtures for Thunder, as we’ve played ten weeks on the bounce. There’s two games to go before a week off where we can refresh. At Rochdale we weathered the first half storm last Saturday and ran away with the game. I know I say it every week but we’ll have to be at our best on Sunday afternoon as this will be a real step up. We’ll have to control our emotions and be prepared for a proper battle. We’ve seen this side get the job done against a strong Barrow outfit in recent weeks and that’s the type of performance we’re going to need to see on Sunday.

We haven’t had much success in the cups in recent seasons so to have a chance of a cup semi final is huge for the club and rugby league in the north east.

Graham Steadman recalls Ukuma Ta’ai with John Sagaga dropping out of the squad in the one change from last week. Cody Hunter, Will Roberts, King Vuniyayawa, Matty Foster, Will Dagger and Kieran Hundson have all seen action with Thunder this season but are in the York squad to take on Castleford tomorrow, good luck to the lads!

For those travelling on Sunday, make some news and help these lads get over the line!

Squads and officials:

Widnes Vikings: 3. Jack Owens, 4. Joe Edge, 5. Ryan Ince, 6. Joe Lyons, 7. Tom Gilmore, 8. Dan Murray, 9. Jordan Johnstone, 10. Liam Bent, 11. Sam Wilde, 12. Max Roberts, 13. Nick Gregson, 14. Matty Fozard, 15. Lewis Hall, 16. Danny Langtree, 18. Morgan McWhirter, 20. Jack Billington, 23. Nathan Connell, 24. Frank Sergent, 25. Kieran Taylor, 26. Leon Hayes, 28. Jack Houghton.

Newcastle Thunder: 1. Myles Harrison, 2. Andy Djeukessi, 3. Joe Law, 4. Jude Ferreira, 5. Brad Ward, 8. Bailey Antrobus, 9. Taylor Pemberton, 10. Ryan Jackson, 11. Harvey Reynolds, 12. Noah Whittingham, 13. Sam Cook, 15. Brenden Santi, 18. Ukuma Ta’ai, 20. Mitch Clark (loan), 25. Jack Smith (loan), 27. Jordan Lipp (loan), 30. Tom Inman, 31. Nikau Williams (loan)

Referee: M. Lynn

Reserve Referee: K. Silcock

Touch Judge 1: P. Brooke

Touch Judge 2: A. Williams

Venue: Robin Park Arena

Kick off: 15:00

This weekend's games

Betfred Championship

Halifax Panthers v Sheffield Eagles

1895 Cup

Oldham v Midlands Hurricanes (home win)

London Broncos v Doncaster (home win)

Rochdale Hornets v Goole Vikings (away win)

Widnes Vikings v Newcastle Thunder (away win)

Friday night sees Halifax and Sheffield lock horns in the league, Halifax had a good win against Dewsbury last weekend and Sheffield won at Workington. I think Sheffield could edge this one as they look to put a bigger gap between them and the play-off chasing pack. 

In the 1895 Cup on Friday night, Midlands make the trip to Oldham. Midlands took on London last weekend and London did to them what they do to most teams. Oldham are resurgent at the moment and beat play-off rivals Doncaster last Friday. I think Oldham will win this one and book a semi final spot. 

London Broncos and Doncaster go head-to-head in London in a battle of two of the top clubs in the Championship. Doncaster pushed London all the way in the league recently but Broncos won. I think London will win this as they look to dominate the second tier this season.

For Rochdale and Goole this is a great opportunity for them to reach a semi final, both sides have struggled at times this season so a cup semi final would be a big boost. This will be close but I think Goole could edge it.

Widnes and Newcastle will be another close game, if Thunder play like they can they can win but it’s going to take a squad effort to get over the line against a very good Widnes side who are flying at the moment.