Thunder host Hornets

Sunday afternoon sees Newcastle Thunder host Rochdale Hornets at Crow Trees in a 15:00 kick off.

Rochdale arrive on the back of an 1895 Cup semi final humbling at the hands of a very capable Widnes outfit who in any other season would be amongst the favourites for Championship glory. Rochdale currently sit 11th in the table with a two point gap to Dewsbury just ahead of them in the last play-off spot. 

Andy Mazey does a brilliant job at Rochdale keeping things going and they’re one of the stronger clubs from last season’s League 1. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Thunder came out 6-54 victors but Rochdale pushed Thunder hard in the opening half in difficult conditions. 

I expect that Rochdale will look to come out hard on Sunday, they have the likes of try scoring winger Dan Nixon, experienced duo Junior Sa’u and Jamie Dallimore alongside Mark Ioane and Chris Barratt who both miss out this weekend. Bailey Pemberton is named in the Rochdale squad so we could see him go against his older brother Bailey. There was a bit of spice towards the end of the reverse fixture as Mitch Clark was shown a yellow card and it got a bit lively on the touch line! 

Thunder put in arguably their most complete performance of the season at Keighley on Sunday afternoon not only scoring tries but the more pleasing thing for Graham Steadman would be to nil the opposition. The hunger in the defensive line was clear to see as this group worked for each other and backed each other up as Keighley threatened. 

On a tricky pitch it was good to see the attack flow and cause the Keighley defence countless problems, with the conditions set fair for Sunday hopefully the attack can continue to click. There’s a recall for Nikau Williams to York this weekend, he’s done really well on his return to Thunder and has earnt his recall. King Vuniyayawa is back with Thunder after a few weeks away on loan. There’s also a recall for Sean Croston. 

Thunder will be full of confidence on the back of last week but I expect Rochdale to start hard and try and frustrate Thunder. 

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, 17. King Vuniyayawa, 20. Mitch Clark (loan), 22. John Sagaga (loan) 25. Jack Smith (loan), 27. Jordan Lipp (loan), 29. Sean Croston.

Rochdale Hornets: 1. Max Flanagan, 2, Dan Nixon, 4. Junior Sa’u, 6. Jamie Dallimore, 7. Jordan Paga, 8. Jaden Dayes, 9. Ross Whitmore, 10. Lewis Hatton, 12. Ethan Wood, 13. Jordan Syme, 14. George Roby, 16. Jordan Andrade, 17. Dylan Kelly-Duffy, 19. Luke Waterworth, 20. Joe Hickey, 22. TJ Boyd, 24. Ben Metcalfe, 25. Jack Hansen, 33. Isaac Coleman, Alex Chippendale, Bailey Pemberton.

Referee: K. Moore

Reserve Referee: J. Woolass

Touch Judge 1: B. Worsley

Touch Judge 2: J. Cox

Venue: Crow Trees

Kick off: 15:00

Betfred Championship

Midlands Hurricanes v Swinton Lions (home win)

Goole Vikings v Keighley Cougars (home win)

Barrow Raiders v Dewsbury Rams (home win)

Hunslet v Widnes Vikings (away win)

Newcastle Thunder v Rochdale Hornets (home win)

North Wales Crusaders v Halifax Panthers (away win)

Salford v Workington Town (home win)

Sheffield Eagles v Whitehaven (home win)

I say it every week but the Betfred Championship is an exciting league to watch, if you’re near a game this weekend get down and take some action in.

Midlands host Swinton in a game that could be closer than league positions as ninth host 18th, Midlands unsurprisingly lost to London last week but were surprised by Whitehaven the week before. Swinton are getting some wins and slowly climbing the table but I think Midlands will get back to winning ways. Google and Keighley are both searching for form but I think the experience in the Goole side at home could swing this one their way. Dewsbury will go to Barrow on Saturday night ready for a battle but Barrow are a formidable outfit at home and adding Brad Singleton to their ranks strengthens them further and I expect them to win this one.

Widnes won well last week and are on a roll, although Hunslet beat Salford I can’t see past Widnes winning this one. Two teams re-building meet in Colwyn Bay and I expect Halifax to beat North Wales probably comfortably, I have a lot of time for North Wales though and for them this is about re-building. I think Salford can edge Workington but if town can put in the kind of display they produced at times last weekend they could edge it, but I expect Salford to just take this one. Whitehaven have run into some form but a trip to Sheffield will be tough for them and I think Sheffield will take this one.