Dangerous Hurricanes heading to Tyneside

It’s the final home game of the regular season for Newcastle Thunder on Saturday afternoon and they have everything to play for as they host a Midlands Hurricanes side who have had an excellent season securing play-off rugby themselves. 

Midlands look set to finish in eighth position in the Betfred Championship and will host either Whitehaven or Batley in week one of the play-offs when they get underway in September. This has been an excellent season for Midlands in their first season at this level after they relocated to their new home of Avery Fields on the eve of the season. 

They have some real rugby league nous involved at Midlands led by Mark Dunning, the ex-Braford Bulls coach and as Managing Director, Eorl Crabtree the ex-Huddersfield Giants player. In the very first game of the season at a very wet Avery Fields, Thunder came out 10-28 victors in a hard fought contest and I expect another hard fought contest on Saturday afternoon on Tyneside.

Midlands have developed a model for them that works training in Huddersfield meaning they can attract good quality players from the heartlands. They also put time into developing a pathway in the Midlands through the community game. 

Midlands have a very good kicking game with the lively Lewis Else at the centre of things. In the reverse fixture, ex-Sheffield man Tyler Dickinson was at the forefront of the physical effort from Midlands, he’ll be backed up by captain Jon-Luke Kirby and ex-Thunder man Oliver Roberts. There’s some real experience and guile in the backs Liam Sutcliffe, prolific winger Matty Chrimes, the try scoring threat of Cian Tyrer and ex-Thunder man Aidan McGowan will all pose threats. Although Midlands are a new Championship side, there’s a boatload of experience to trouble Thunder.

With a Championship play-off place to look forward to, it’s safe to say that rugby league in the Midlands is in an encouraging place.

For Thunder, given the advantage of points difference over Oldham two wins should secure second place in the league. I expect these two games to be tough though, Midlands lost to a very good Doncaster side last week but showed loads of fight especially in the first half to go in at 20-10 with Doncaster scoring a late first half try. Thunder are going to have to be at their very best to get a result on Saturday and that needs a full club effort with everyone into the game and behind the team from the first whistle.

Thunder showed immense character against a Batley side who their fans felt put in one of their best performances of the season. When the game looked to be lost Thunder found a way to win. Hopefully a week off has allowed players to refresh a bit as that game took a lot out of them but the improvement in this side since they lost a similar type of game to Hunslet. Thunder are on a ten game winning streak in all competitions but are unbeaten in the league in 13 games. 

At Batley, King Vuniyayawa was at the front of the physical effort in defence and attack. This was backed up by the likes of Bailey Antrobus, Mitch Clark and Ryan Jackson. Graham Steadman will look for his side to complete sets but also stretch the opposition. Thunder looked at their most dangerous when they went wide against Batley but got drawn into the physical contest at times, they’ll look to try and move Midlands around the park.

Graham Steadman names the same squad that went to Batley, the message is clear to Thunder fans as we approach the business end of the season. We face some huge contests and everyone can make a difference, we know as a club we have a target on our back, we hear the noise and grumbles from the heartlands. That needs to fire you up, we’re going to be in some real battles over the next few weeks with opposition fans turning up in numbers. You need to turn up and play your part.

Newcastle Thunder: 1. Myles Harrison, 2. Andy Djeukessi, 3. Joe Law, 4. Jude Ferreira, 5. Brad Ward, 7. Will Roberts, 8. Bailey Antrobus, 10. Ryan Jackson, 11. Harvey Reynolds, 12. Noah Whittingham, 15. Brenden Santi, 17. King Vuniyayawa, 18. Ukuma Ta’ai,  20. Mitch Clark, 22. John Sagaga, 25. Jack Smith, 27. Jordan Lipp, 33. Alfie Horwell.

Midlands Hurricanes: 1. Todd Horner, 2. Matty Chrimes, 3. Ryan Johnson, 4. Ross Oakes, 5. Luis Roberts, 7. Lewis Else, 8. Jon-Luke Kirby, 9. Aiden Roden, 10. Tyler Dickinson, 12. Oliver Roberts, 15. Elliot Morris, 16. Zeus Silk, 17. Kieran Moran, 19. Sully Medforth, 20. Toby Warren, 22. Cian Tyrer, 23. Aidan McGowan, 26. Ethan Newboult, 28. Isaac Shaw, 31. Liam Sutcliffe, 32. Chris Cullimore.

Referee: D. Arnold

Reserve Referee: I. Carson

Touch Judge 1: L. Grundy

Touch Judge 2: S. Harrison

Venue: Crow Trees

Kick off: 16:00

Betfred Championship

Goole Vikings v Swinton Lions (home win)

Newcastle Thunder v Midlands Hurricanes (home win)

Barrow v Whitehaven (home win)

Dewsbury v Batley Bulldogs (away win)

Doncaster v Sheffield (home win)

Hunslet v Rochdale (home win)

London v Halifax (home win)

North Wales v Keighley (away win)

Oldham v Salford (home win)

Widnes v Workington (home win)

The last week has seen who’s in the play-offs decided but there’s still placings and pride to play for as we approach the end of the regular season. 

Goole have been doing it tough in recent weeks with injuries taking their toll, they host a Swinton side who have had a much better second half of the season. I think home advantage will be crucial here as Goole take a victory. The other Saturday game sees second place chasing Newcastle Thunder host play-off secured Midlands Hurricanes, Thunder haven’t been at their best in recent weeks and this could be close but home advantage should be enough for Thunder.

There’s a Cumbrian derby on Sunday as two play-off teams go head-to-head as Barrow host Whitehaven. Barrow have to win this one to secure a top six finish and I expect them to do so. Whitehaven have had an excellent second half of the season with James Newton getting everything out of his locally based group of players but I think Barrow will have too much for them. Dewsbury host Batley in another derby clash, having played mid-week will have an impact on Dewsbury and I think Batley who have secured play-off rugby will win this but this will be a physical affair and could be close.

Doncaster host a Sheffield side who could be dangerous come the play-offs but Doncaster themselves are building nicely and finding form when it matters and I expect them to overcome a stubborn Sheffield outfit. Rochdale are another side who have played mid-week and although the energy from back-to-back wins on the road at Workington and Dewsbury will have, I think Hunslet will have just enough at home to beat Rochdale.

London host Halifax and will no doubt be focused on getting a win after their result against an excellent Oldham side on Sunday afternoon. Despite their league position, Halifax are rebuilding and will be dangerous next season but I think we could see a reaction from London on Sunday. North Wales who are improving host a Keighley side who were denied at the death at Batley on Sunday. North Wales have made this one free entry, if you’re in the area get yourselves along but I do expect a comfortable Keighley victory. 

After their stunning performance to win against unbeaten London on Sunday afternoon and keep the fight for second place alive, Oldham host Salford in what could be a fierce contest but I think Oldham will have too much for their near neighbours and keep fighting for second place. Finally, Widnes make the tricky trip to Workington where the likes of Oldham and Newcastle have found Workington is a tough place to go. Widnes are mathematically in the hunt for a top four place but top six looks more realistic and will be another dangerous team in the play-offs. I think they’ll have enough to beat Workington on Sunday.