Three to go for Thunder as Batley test awaits

Newcastle Thunder are on the road again this weekend as they make the trip to The Fox’s Biscuits Stadium to take on Batley Bulldogs.

Batley are sat in ninth place in the Betfred Championship and it looks as though it’ll be two of Batley, Whitehaven and Dewsbury who will make up the final two play-off places. Batley have everything to play for in front of their home crowd.

Batley are one of many Championship clubs hit by injuries, amongst those missing are talisman, former Thunder man Josh Woods who will miss the rest of the season. Batley had a really good win on the road at Swinton last weekend, beating Anthony Murray’s side 12-30. 

In the two fixtures at Blaydon earlier in the season, Thunder won 34-20 in a competitive 1895 Cup fixture and Thunder ran riot in the league fixture coming out 52-8 winners. Despite injuries in camp Batley is a tough place to go with the infamous slope being a factor. But Batley are a proud club and on home territory will look to take the game to Thunder.

Newcastle Thunder and Batley warm up prior to the reverse fixture in May

Batley will look to Dane Manning to lead the charge for them, they’ve also got young forward Zach Fishwick in on loan from Hull KR. Backed by a vocal home support, Batley will look to make life tough for Thunder, I expect them to try and frustrate Thunder as we’ve seen in previous weeks.

For Thunder, it was a case of getting the job done over in Workington last weekend. Workington were well up for it despite a slow start, the crowd got into it and that raised the players. Thunder will probably be frustrated around the error count and a lack of set completion at times. But the pleasing thing is that they found a way to ride the pressure out. In similar scenarios against Hunslet and Dewsbury earlier in the season where the game drifted from them, lessons have been learnt. 

Thunder have Andy Djeukessi back available after the performance pathway saw him get a Super League opportunity with York last weekend. Jack Smith is also back in the squad. There’s no Will Dagger who’s named in the York squad. 

Again, Thunder will look to Will Roberts to steer the ship and lead the side. Will has been excellent in form in recent weeks and is showing the credentials that he can step up permanently to Super League in the future. 

Thunder know that if they keep winning it guarantees second place and that gives a week off in the first week of the play-offs and home advantage. The pressure is on but as we saw away at Barrow, this team thrives under pressure. The team will be boosted by a decent away support this weekend and they’ll look to get behind the team.

Squads:

Batley Bulldogs: 1. Robbie Butterworth, 2. Joe Burton, 3. Oliver Greensmith, 5. Derrell Olpherts, 6. Ben Reynolds, 9. Alistair Leak, 10. Ronan Dixon, 11. Dane Manning, 12. Nyle Flynn, 13. Evan Hodgson, 15. Robson Stevens, 16. Michael Ward, 17. Ben White, 21. Luca Atkinson, 23. Jonah Parsons, 25. Zach Fishwick, 28. Mitch Beedle.

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.

Referee: S. Mikalauskas

Reserve Referee: P. Clayton

Touch Judge 1: J. Pemberton

Touch Judge 2: S. Jenkinson

Venue: Fox’s Biscuits Stadium

Kick off: 15:00

Betfred Championship

Salford v Swinton (home win)

Midlands Hurricanes v Workington (home win)

Batley Bulldogs v Newcastle Thunder (away win)

Halifax v Barrow (away win)

Hunslet v Keighley (home win)

London v Goole Vikings (home win)

North Wales Crusaders v Doncaster (away win)

Oldham v Sheffield (home win)

Rochdale v Whitehaven (home win)

The battle for the play-offs and play-off places continues in the Betfred Championship as we’re at an exciting time of the season. The format is getting a lot of criticism but it’s certainly making things interesting in the play-off race.

The weekend starts at Salford as they have a derby face off with Swinton. Salford know that a win can put some heat on the play-off chasing teams above them in an unlikely quest to get a play-off place. I think they’ll get their win here, Swinton will make it a battle but Salford will take derby bragging rights.

Midlands host Workington knowing a win would almost guarantee them play-off rugby come September which would be an excellent return for them. Workington can’t afford a slow start again this week, they’re a very hot and cold outfit but I expect Midlands will have enough to take this one. Injury hit Batley host second place chasing Newcastle Thunder, Batley will make life difficult for a Thunder side who have been slightly off it in recent weeks but Thunder have enough to get the job done in West Yorkshire.

Halifax and Barrow could well be a close run game, Rochdale pushed Barrow all the way on Saturday night but Barrow will have been relieved to get the win. Halifax lost on the road at Sheffield last weekend but will be tough at home but Barrow could well edge this one.

Hunslet and Keighley is a game that doesn’t have anything riding on it. Hunslet got a good win at Dewsbury last time out and I expect them to win again against a Keighley side who will be looking to build for next season. Goole had a resounding win in Colwyn Bay last weekend, I think we could see something close to a reverse score here as they travel to Championship power houses London. London themselves were pushed all the way by a determined Widnes side last weekend which could serve as a wake up call before the play-offs but I expect them to win comfortably here.

North Wales host an in-form Doncaster side who are chasing a top four finish. Doncaster ended Oldham’s winning streak in impressive fashion last weekend and this could be a big score in their favour. For North Wales, they’re putting in foundations for next season and that’s the most important thing for them at the moment.

Oldham host Sheffield in another game that could have a play-off feel to it. For Oldham it’s about how they react following their defeat to Doncaster. Sheffield will know a win can keep pace with those above them but it’ll be a tough task against an Oldham side who I expect to see a reaction from and expect to win.

Rochdale host Whitehaven in a huge game for the Cumbrians. With Batley having a difficult game against Newcastle and Dewsbury not playing, a win could put them three points ahead of Dewsbury in what would be an excellent return for Whitehaven. But Rochdale won’t make it easy for them, they put in a real performance to push Barrow on Saturday night and home advantage could be crucial on Sunday afternoon. But one thing I will say is, never write off Whitehaven!