Newcastle Thunder v Whitehaven and the rest of League 1 preview

The final home game of Newcastle Thunder's season has arrived with Whitehaven the visitors on Sunday afternoon for a 16:00 kick off. There's still no agreement as to how the structure of next season will look which is becoming more frustrating week by week.

There's also women's Super League action from 13:00 with York Valkyrie taking on Wigan, this will be a quality encounter with last season's champions taking on this season's champions elect. Following on from a brilliant night of women's rugby union at The Stadium of Light on Friday night, get down and support women's rugby league in the region. Thunder have stated that the women's game is an area they're looking to grow, so this is a chance to showcase this.

Perspective

I think before the season a lot of people had written Thunder off as not completing the season and in reality it could've been easy for this young group to decide they'd had enough and packed it in. To their credit they haven't, they've battled every week and worked for each other. It's testament to the spirit and friendship in this group that they haven't.

Other factors have been Chris Thorman going to York and Cornwall folding could've led to instability, but that's never been evident from what I've seen from the touchline. Thanks to the players, coaches and volunteers they have kept rugby league alive in the north east.

Whitehaven

Whitehaven arrive at Blaydon buoyed by an excellent 26-16 win against play-off chasing Midlands last time out. This was a welcome victory after a terrible run of form. When the teams met back in April, Whitehaven ran out 66-6 winners, they currently sit in eighth place in League 1. They've re-built a bit this season around the community game with players coming in, no doubt they will have learnt a lot from the season and will look to build next season.

Newcastle Thunder

This week Thunder have Woody Walker and Alfie Horwell continuing their loan from Castleford and Brad Ward remains from York. I'm expecting Whitehaven to be a typical League 1 side with big runners and the challenge for Thunder is going to be doing what we've done the last few home games and match that physicality for as long as they can. Hopefully the attack can be built on and when given the opportunity they can take advantage.

As I've said above the fact we still have a club should be applauded and let's enjoy tomorrow and make sure everyone is given big backing throughout as this group have put their bodies on the line week in week out for rugby league in the north east.

Midlands v Keighley

Midlands have to win to keep pressure on fourth place Rochdale but Keighley are hot and cold and could cause an upset in Birmingham tomorrow. Keighley, as I've said many times this season have a squad that's better than their league position and this is the type of game that they could easily turn up and shock Midlands. In saying that I think Midlands at home will have the edge here.

Swinton Lions v Rochdale Hornets

This is the League 1 game of the day and both teams will want local bragging rights. Rochdale have to win this one and Swinton will want to guarantee their place in the play-offs with a win. This will be a great advert for League 1 at Sale and I think the hornets could sting the lions in a tight, physical encounter.

North Wales Crusaders v Goole Vikings

This one has become a bit more intriguing given recent results. North Wales have hit a bit of a slump whereas last time out saw Goole get an excellent win against a Swinton side that has been on form. I think North Wales will come out of their slump and come out on top against a Goole side that will not back down and be confrontational.