Thunder head to hostile Keighley

Sunday afternoon sees Newcastle Thunder travel to Keighley for what’s sure to be a bear pit atmosphere at Cougar Park, Thunder can expect hostility from the terraces. 

Keighley lost out at home last weekend 22-34 to Rochdale and currently sit 12th in the Betfred Championship four points off the play-off places. They’ve re-built on the back of a disappointing campaign last season and have acquitted themselves well in the Championship under the leadership of Ian Hardman.

Keighley have experience in the likes of Brandon Pickersgill, George Flanagan, Jack Teanby and Matty Beharrell. There’s also a return for Junior Nuu following a spell in rugby union with Doncaster Knights. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season Thunder ran out 44-18 victors in a game that was close until Thunder scored four tries in the last quarter. They’ll look to utilise the power of Jack Teanby to try and trouble the Thunder defence and the kicking of Beharrell.

Graham Steadman makes one change to his squad with John Sagaga coming in for Justin Sangare. Harvey Reynolds, Cody Hunter, King Vuniyayawa and Tom Inman continue their loan with York and we continue to wish them well as their form has earnt them this shot. 

Thunder will have to concentrate on their own game and not get drawn into anything that Keighley may try, there’s enough experience in this squad to do just that. We know what to expect in terms of atmosphere and this is the kind of away trip the squad will relish. It’s the kind of trip that we’ll get more used to in the remainder of the season as trips to Barrow, Workington, Dewsbury and Batley will be just as fierce. We saw again last week the ability of this side to cut other teams to shreds when we attack and it clicks. In the first half we were a bit clunky at times but found our groove in the second half.

Bailey Antrobus arguably had his best performance in a Thunder shirt last week and his carrying alongside Clark, Jackson, Santi and Ta’ai will be crucial for Thunder to get on the front foot and give a platform. A victory on Sunday keeps us keeping up with the pace of the top teams in the league but as ever we’re going to have to graft and earn it. 

Keighley Cougars: 1. Connor Saynor, 2. Brad Holroyd, 4. Max Clarke, 5. Dylan Proud, 7. Matty Bearrell, 8. Dan Parker, 9. Oli Burton, 10. Jack Teanby, 11. Lucas Green, 12. Lachlan Lanskey, 13. Aaron Brown, 14. George Flanagan, 17. Jordan Schofield, 18. Oli Whitford, 19. Dee Foggin-Johnston, 20. Leo Skerrett-Evans, 21. Alfie Dean, 22. Waldimar Matahwa, 26. Nathan Rushworth, Junior Nuu, Will Groves,  

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), 22. John Sagaga (loan) 25. Jack Smith (loan), 27. Jordan Lipp (loan), 31. Nikau Williams (loan)

Referee: K. Moore

Reserve Referee: D. Walker

Touch Judge 1: L. Grundy

Touch Judge 2: A. Sweet

Venue: Cougar Park

Kick off: 15:00

1895 Cup

Midlands Hurricanes v London Broncos (away win)

Widnes Vikings v Rochdale Hornets (home win)

The semi finals are here and I can’t see past a London v Widnes final. Midlands host London and could make their first final but it’s a huge task for Midlands and I think London will win comfortably. Likewise I think Widnes will get a comfortable victory over Rochdale.

Betfred Championship

Barrow Raiders v Sheffield Eagles (home win)

Batley Bulldogs v Halifax Panthers (away win)

Hunslet v Salford (home win)

Keighley Cougars v Newcastle Thunder (away win)

Whitehaven v North Wales Crusaders (home win)

Workington Town v Oldham (away win)

In the league there’s a race for the play-offs heating up and within that a battle for the higher positions. 

Barrow host Sheffield on Saturday night and I think Barrow will take the win here to keep up the pace with the top teams. Batley host Halifax and despite league positions, this one will be close but I think Batley will edge it. Hunslet hosting Salford could be another close one, Hunslet will be disappointed with their defence at times last week, Salford are improving given where they started from but I think Hunslet will take the win here.

Keighley will look to start solidly against Thunder and frustrate them but if Thunder can get through the initial storm they will look to come away with the win. Whitehaven had a brilliant win at Midlands last weekend and although North Wales have managed to get some new faces in, this season is about getting through and keeping the club stable and preparing for next season. I expect a comfortable Whitehaven victory. Oldham make the trip to Workington and I’m backing Oldham to keep up the pace with the top of table against a Workington side who lost heavily to Barrow last weekend.