Newcastle Thunder v North Wales Crusaders and a look at the rest of League 1

Newcastle Thunder b North Wales Crusaders

North Wales turned up at Blaydon this afternoon and did what I expected them to do from my preview. To the credit of this young Thunder group they didn't take a backwards step especially in the first half. For the second weekend in a row there was some frustration from the Thunder faithful towards some of the decisions made from the middle. The George Birch yellow card in the second half being a prime example. But that's not to take anything away from North Wales who turned up and did the job required to remain top of the league.

Thunder with the scrum feed.

Ant Walker, the hero of Stanningley was leading from the front in the carrying stakes creating gaps in the Thunder defence elsewhere. George Birch got on the score sheet for Thunder in the last play of the first half to take the score to 6-26 but ultimately in the second half the power of Crusaders took its toll on Thunder and they ran out 6-72 victors. Crusaders short kicking game also caused havoc for the Thunder defence. One thing about this group is they stick together and don't let their heads drop and there is a good spirit in the camp.

As ever there are things that they will want to work on, at times today especially when the team tired in the second half one on one tackles started to be missed. The other thing was the pressure they bring on themselves, not completing sets put more pressure on the team.

A mention to the Crusaders supporters, they made a hell of a noise backed up by the Ant Walker fan club from Stanningley. The Crusaders supporters also did their own tribute to Kevin Barlow on sixty one minutes which was well received by the Thunder faithful. I wish them well in the play-offs, although the irony is if it goes to a fourteen team Super League we could still be in the same league next season regardless of how they do!

On that we have to see what happens but if that is the case then it'll be very interesting to see what happens in the off-season at Thunder. Sometimes it's easy to forget that there are some important foundations being put in place away from the pitch. There seems to be a really good relationship with York, the pathway development in the region is crucial. We saw this afternoon what noise the team from Stanningley made, if the club can harness that in the region and get kids turning up to follow Thunder and join in the atmosphere will be generated. There's also the women's game which the club are really keen to develop, that's something to keep an eye on. What we know is we are a football area, but what we also know is football isn't for everyone. Can the club find a pathway to get those kids who get disengaged from football and subsequently sport to get them into a club and taking part in rugby league?

Up next for Thunder is the penultimate home game of the season with fifth place, play-off chasing Dewsbury Rams visiting Blaydon next Sunday at 15:00.

Swinton v Midlands

Swinton came out 16-8 victors over Midlands in a close match this afternoon. This one felt like it was always going to be close and the Lions had a 10-4 half time lead. The win takes Swinton up to second and crucially five points clear of fifth place Dewsbury, although the Rams have a game in hand. For Midlands they remain in fourth place, next week they have a week off. For Swinton they make the trip to North Wales to take on the table toppers who will have revenge in mind following their loss to the Lions earlier in the season.

Goole Vikings v Rochdale

I had this one billed as a tight contest and how wrong was I! Luke Forber scored five tries in a commanding 50-0 victory. The Hornets stung the Vikings in the first half to take a 28-0 victory. The win keeps Rochdale in the hunt for the play-off places doing exactly what they need to do to put pressure on those above them. Goole will look to re-group after this one with a week off. Rochdale will fancy their chances of keeping pressure on those above as they entertain an out of sorts Whitehaven side. Rochdale reamin in sixth and Goole in seventh after this one.

Keighley v Whitehaven

Keighley came out victorious at Cougar Park with a 26-14 victory. A tight first half ended 10-10 but Keighley came out on top in the second half. The result keeps the teams in eighth and ninth respectively but Keighley are only one point behind Whitehaven. Keighley make the trip to Workington with a bit of confidence while things don't get any easier for Whitehaven as they're on the road to Rochdale.