Newcastle Thunder v Workington Town match preview and a look at The Championship

For the second time this season Newcastle Thunder and Workington Town will go head to head. Thunder won the 1895 Cup match a fortnight ago 10-28 with a hard fought victory in Cumbria.

On the back of that victory with Jonty Gorley choosing to rotate they will've been quietly targeting this game with players returning. Last week they got a bit of a shock when they trailed Dewsbury Rams at home 38-0 after sixty five minutes, they then remarkably scored twenty two points in the final eight minutes to lose 22-38.

Ex-Thunder man Evan Lawther returns to the Workington squad this week following an injury picked up against Thunder, he'll pose the main attacking threat. But as we saw in the cup game expect Grant Reid and Mason Lewthwaite to cause carrying threats. Jake Carter looked tricky at times in the cup fixture and Jamie Doran played his first game back after a long injury lay-off. Workington also have Steve Scholey to call on, he'll carry hard too.

If Workington can produce the performance they put in to score twenty two points in the last eight minutes they will prove the stern test we know they are capable of. They currently sit fifteenth in The Betfred Championship having won one, drawn one and lost four in the league.

Thunder fans will be able to welcome back former captain, Alex Donaghy, Lawther and Jake Dickinson.

For Thunder, Jude Ferreira is included in a Thunder squad for the first time this season with Tyler Walton dropping out.

Fresh from being named in The Championship team of the month, Thunder will look to Cody Hunter to unlock the Worthington defence. It is starting to become more noticeable that teams are starting to target Cody, luckily if they do that Will Roberts is just as equipped to play make.

Last week there were strong outings from King Vuniyayawa on debut and Bailey Antrobus on his return to fitness. This was backed up by two unsung heroes of the Thunder team so far this season in Harvey Reynolds and Noah Whittingham. Joe Law will hope to continue on from his hat-trick last week and if Thunder play like they did in the last fifteen minutes of the Keighley game it could be a good day for the outside backs.

The weather could scupper this though with rain possibly forecast and a blustery wind could mean the forwards have to do the job in hand.

Thunder fans were in disbelief at full time last week having seen their side win a home game, they heard what the Keighley fans had to say. Well Thunder fans, you're going to have to get used to that. The club has a target on its back, they're sitting sixth in the league, the best way to respond is by making some noise! Get there early on Sunday and get behind the team from the warm up!

Squads and officials:

Newcastle Thunder: 1. Myles Harrison, 2. Andy Djeukessi, 3. Joe Law, 4. Jude Ferreira, 5. Brad Ward, 6. Cody Hunter, 7. Will Roberts, 8. Bailey Antrobus, 9. Taylor Pemberton, 11. Harvey Reynolds, 12. Noah Whittingham, 15. Brenden Santi, 16. Leo Tennison, 17. King Vuniyayawa, 22. John Sagaga (loan), 24. Matty Foster (loan), 25. Jack Smith (loan), 27. Jordan Lipp (loan), 30. Tom Inman.

Workington Town: 1. Zarrin Galea, 3. Rio-Osayonwambo Corkill, 4. Braden Leigh, 5. Alex Donaghy, 6. Jake Carter, 7. Dom Wear, 8. Ross Ainley, 9. Jamie Doran, 10. Steve Scholey, 11. Mason Lewthwaite, 13. Jack Stephenson, 14. Callum Phillips, 15. Callum Farrer, 17. Lucas Castle, 21. Evan Lawther, 24. Grant Reid, 25. Bear Williams, 26. Tuarae Rawhiti, 28. Jack Ainley, 29. Jake Dickinson, 33. Delaine Gittens-Bedward.

Referee: K. Moore

Reserve Referee: J. Woolass

Touch Judge 1: F. Lincoln

Touch Judge 2: L. Seal

Time Keeper: B. Taberner

Venue: Crow Trees

Kick off: 15:00

Tickets

Tickets are available to buy online. Please buy in advance to speed up entry to the ground or use the QR codes before the turnstiles, the pricing is:

Adult (17-64): £15

Concession (over 65): £12

Student: £7.50 (bring valid I.D.)

Hospitality: £40

Under 16: FREE!

Championship fixtures this weekend

As ever in The Championship there's some quality games on show this weekend. Friday night sees Salford hosting Halifax. Halifax put in a performance to beat North Wales last weekend and I can see them putting Salford to the sword. Dewsbury v Sheffield could be a corker of a game, Dewsbury have been maybe a bit of a surprise package so far this season but Sheffield could edge this. Doncaster take on a Swinton side who are in a re-build and this could be a big Doncaster win. Midlands will travel to a Keighley outfit who have been hit by injuries and ran out of steam last week, it will be close but Midlands will edge that. Batley will battle at London but class will tell and London will get away in the last quarter. Workington will make Newcastle work but I'm backing Newcastle to win two on the bounce at home. North Wales have changed coaches this week after appearing to be in turmoil, that bounce will see them beat Whitehaven. Oldham and Hunslet will be a right battle but Oldham will edge it. Rochdale and Goole will be very close and could go either way, I'm going with home advants on that one though.

Salford v Halifax Panthers (away win)

Dewsbury Rams v Sheffield Eagles (away win)

Doncaster v Swinton Lions (home win)

Keighley Cougars v Midlands Hurricanes (away win)

London Broncos v Batley Bulldogs (home win)

Newcastle Thunder v Workington Town (home win)

North Wales Crusaders v Whitehaven (home win)

Oldham v Hunslet (home win)

Rochdale Hornets v Goole Vikings (home win)