Thunder gear up for physical Hunslet clash

After a well earned weekend off, Newcastle Thunder are back in Betfred Championship action this weekend as they host Hunslet on Saturday at 16:00 at Blaydon. 

Hunslet arrive on Tyneside having beaten Thunder 34-32 earlier in the season with a penalty winning it on the hooter. Since then they have bolstered their ranks with Ant Walker and Jayden Hatton signing from North Wales, Hatton misses out this weekend. They currently sit in fourteenth in the league but are a dangerous outfit as proved earlier in the season and are a much better side than their league position shows.

Hunslet have some new loan arrivals to complement their much improved squad, Pauli Pauli who was a thorn in Thunder’s side when we met Doncaster in the Challenge Cup back in January comes in. As does fellow Doncaster man Jordan Baldwinson and Batley forward Luca Atkinson. These signings complement what is a more than capable Championship outfit with the likes of Lee Gaskell, Billy Jowitt, Mo Agoro and Eddie Battye. I expect Hunslet to be very direct.

After a week off and a chance to freshen up it’s back to it for Thunder as they begin the run towards the business end of the season, there’s eleven league games to go between now and the end of August and a lot to play for. It’s an exciting time for Thunder fans with the confirmation of Armed Forces Day against Whitehaven to look forward to along with the entertaining brand of rugby that this Thunder side play. 

After blowing Goole away in the second half last time out, Thunder will know what to expect from this well drilled Hunslet side having been on the end of a narrow defeat earlier in the season. Thunder will have to be patient against Hunslet as they were against Goole as we know when we play we can tear teams apart.

Graham Steadman welcomes back Will Roberts who will steer the ship alongside Nikau Williams in the halves. There’s also a potential Thunder debut for Frenchman Justin Sangare. Harvey Reynolds has earnt a loan to York tomorrow with his excellent form for Thunder alongside the other loanees, Cody Hunter, King Vuniyayawa and Tom Inman who put in a typical terrier like defensive display on his debut the other week. The message is clear if you play well at Thunder, the performance pathway is there to have a go at Super League. That’s got to be a huge motivator for this group and shows the quality of player we’re seeing in a Thunder shirt this season. I know York have injuries but these players have earned their chance for their performances in a Thunder shirt.

The entrance fee alone is worth it for the likes of Pauli Pauli, Battye, Walker, Santi, Jackson, Clark, Ta’ai and Antrobus going at each other. This is going to be physical!

Thunder will need to show the kind of maturity we saw against Batley and Barrow to not get drawn into anything and when the chance comes go wide and punish Hunslet. 

The fans were excellent against Goole and the players will need that level of support shown in the second half from the word go. As ever, your support can make all the difference.

Newcastle Thunder: 1. Myles Harrison, 2. Andy Djeukessi, 4. Jude Ferreira, 5. Brad Ward, 7. Will Roberts, 8. Bailey Antrobus, 9. Taylor Pemberton, 10. Ryan Jackson, 12. Noah Whittingham, 13. Sam Cook, 15. Brenden Santi, 18. Ukuma Ta’ai, 20. Mitch Clark (loan), 25. Jack Smith (loan), 27. Jordan Lipp (loan), 31. Nikau Williams (loan), 32. Justin Sangare.

Hunslet: 1. Billy Jowitt, 5. Mo Agoro, 6. Lee Gaskell, 7. Dan Abram, 8. Harvey Hallas, 11. Harrison Gilmore, 13. Eddie Battye, 14. Cam Berry, Elijah Simpson, 20. Liam Carr, 21. Jack Ward, 22. Mackenzie Turner, 26. Ethan O’Hanlon, 27. Charlie Graham, 29. Ant Walker, 30. Alfie Goddard, Luca Atkinson, Jordan Baldwinson, Pauli Pauli, Dominic Tydeman.

Referee: K. Moore

Reserve Referee: K. O’Donnell

Touch Judge 1: F. Lincoln

Touch Judge 2: L. Seal

Venue: Crow Trees

Kick off: 16:00

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: £5.00 (bring valid I.D.) 

Under 16: FREE!

Hospitality: £40

Other games this weekend

Betfred Championship

Midlands Hurricanes v Whitehaven (home win)

Goole Vikings v Batley Bulldogs (away win)

Newcastle Thunder v Hunslet (home win)

Keighley Cougars v Rochdale Hornets (home win)

North Wales Crusaders v London Broncos (away win)

Salford v Doncaster (away win)

Swinton Lions v Halifax Panthers (away win)

Widnes Vikings v Dewsbury Rams (home win)

Workington Town v Barrow Raiders (away win)

There’s three games on Saturday and after a long run, Midlands finally play a home game again. I expect them to beat Whitehaven who despite their good result last time out may struggle against a good Midlands outfit. Goole host Batley and I think we’ll see a Batley victory as they look to keep a gap between them and the play-off chasing sides. Newcastle will be looking to beat a Hunslet side who beat them in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, I think Thunder will win but they will have to be on it.

Rochdale travel to Keighley in what will be an intriguing battle on Sunday, it’s 11th v 12th and both sides will want a win to keep the pressure on the play-off places. I think home advantage could be key here for Keighley to win a tight contest. It’s great to have North Wales back playing and the club seems to really be pulling together but I fear a big score for London against them. I’m sure the excellent North Wales fans will keep behind their side for the duration though.

Salford are improving week on week and are putting themselves in contention for the play-offs but I expect Doncaster will beat them. Swinton are another improving side and their clash with Halifax is another interesting one, I think Halifax could edge this but it will be another close one. Widnes take on Dewsbury and I expect them to keep up with the teams at the top with another win. Finally, there’s a Cumbria derby as Barrow travel to Workington. I expect Barrow to continue their excellent recent form to keep pace with the top sides.