Thunder host Swinton

After a couple of weeks on the road Newcastle Thunder are back at home as they take on Swinton Lions in the next round of Betfred Championship action. Thunder are looking to continue thier seven game winning streak.

Murray has improved Swinton

Swinton have ambitious plans to get rugby league back into Swinton and have their own stadium. Their ‘Project Den’ looks to bring a 5000 capacity to reality and bring rugby league back to Swinton for the first time since 1992. On the pitch things have been tougher for Swinton this season, they struggled early on.

But Anthony Murray has come in and had an impact at Swinton, they’ve done the double over a Midlands side who are in the play-offs so they’re not to be underestimated. They’ve lost their last three games to Halifax, Whitehaven and Doncaster, last weekend was a heavy defeat and I’m sure Murray will be looking for a better performance in what they could see as a free hit at Newcastle.

They’ll look to Samy Kibula to carry for them to try and get them on the front foot. They also have former Thunder man Josh Eaves in their ranks, I’m sure he’s looking forward to his second trip of the season to the north east. We should also see Louie Roberts go up against his brother Will which I’m sure the family are looking forward to!

Thunder will look to cut out clunkiness

Although Sunday’s win in North Wales was a strong one on the scoreboard, there will be frustrations around the error count and the clunkiness of the Thunder attack. I’m sure this is something that they will have worked on this week as new combinations get to know each other and train together. 

Some of the errors we saw were uncharacteristic of this side with knock ons and forced passes costing Thunder points. Against a better Swinton side they will have to reduce the error count or they could be punished. We saw how potent Andy Djeukessi's pace and power can be last weekend as he was red hot in the Welsh sunshine, hopefully he can show this again this weekend.

There’s some welcome news in this week’s squad with Brenden Santi back from suspension and there’s a return from injury for Harvey Reynolds. Harvey was going well at York before picking up a concerning injury a few weeks ago. It’s good to see him back in Thunder colours! Ryan Jackson and Brad Ward miss out for Thunder this week.

Squads

Newcastle Thunder: 1. Myles Harrison, 2. Andy Djeukessi, 3. Joe Law, 4. Jude Ferreira, 7. Will Roberts, 8. Bailey Antrobus, 11. Harvey Reynolds, 12. Noah Whittingham, 15. Brenden Santi, 17. King Vuniyayawa, 18. Ukuma Ta’ai,  20. Mitch Clark (loan), 22. John Sagaga (loan), 25. Jack Smith (loan), 27. Jordan Lipp (loan), Justin Sangare (loan) 33. Alfie Horwell (loan).

Swinton Lions: 1. Louie Roberts, 3. Ellis Anderson, 4. Aaron Lynch, 5. Harry Higham, 7. Jack Stevens, 8. Samy Kibula, 9. Josh Eaves, 10. Ben Killan, 11. Gavin Rodden, 15. Jamie Reddecliff, 17. Trent Kelly-Duffy, 18. Bobby Shingler, 20. Adam Jones, 21. Tom Ratchford, 23. Deane Meadows, 26. Charlie McCurrie, 32. Michael Porter, 33. Dante Morley-Samuels, 34. Pat Ah Van, 37. Kalum Rathbone, Dylan Kelly-Duffy.

Referee: C. Hughes

Reserve Referee: J. Woolass

Touch Judge 1: K. Silcock

Touch Judge 2: A. Coupar

Venue: Crow Trees

Kick off: 16:00

Betfred Championship:

Doncaster v Batley (home win)

Widnes v Salford (home win)

Google Vikings v Dewsbury (away win)

Newcastle v Swinton (home win)

Midlands Hurricanes v London (away win)

Hunslet v Whitehaven (home win)

Oldham v Barrow (home win)

Sheffield v Rochdale (home win)

Workington v Keighley (home win)

The race for the play-offs is intensifying as is the battle for placings in the ten too. There was a lot of talk about one sided games last weekend, the bottom line is some clubs are struggling through the season with injuries taking their toll. Some comments on fixtures, well the clubs agreed to these and I can’t see how that will change next season as there’s not enough teams for two leagues. It might not be perfect but it’s the best that can be done with the situation and still makes for lots of excitement!

To the rugby, Doncaster host Batley on Friday night and I think we’ll see a comfortable Doncaster win which will see them keep the pressure on Barrow and Widnes above them. I don’t think the gap will close on Widnes this weekend though as I expect them to beat Salford on Friday night too.

Saturday sees an injury hit Goole side host a Dewsbury side who dropped out of the play-offs last weekend as they lost convincingly in the end at home to Halifax. I think we’ll see Dewsbury get the win here. Newcastle host Swinton on Saturday too, I expect a Thunder win as they look to keep up the pace with Oldham in the race for a top two finish.

Sunday starts with Midlands hosting a London side who are making their case to be in Super League next season. This will be a comfortable London victory, it’s a game where Midlands will want to not pick up any injuries. Hunslet host Whitehaven in what’s an intriguing encounter. Whitehaven are probably my team of the season, I don’t think anyone had them to be up where they are. James Newton is getting the most out of his team and they find themselves in the play-offs at the moment. They have four of their last five games away but a win at Hunslet would send a statement to challengers. I think Hunslet will have too much at home though. 

Barrow’s tough run continues with a trip to in-form Oldham, I can see this being a victory for Oldham where they pull away in the last quarter. That seems to be the story for Barrow recently, they’re in games but struggle towards the end. Sheffield host Rochdale, the Eagles should win this one as they try and chase down a top six finish. 17th place Workington host 14th place Keighley, Keighley need a win to try and keep in the play-off hunt. Workington have pushed the likes of Oldham at home and I think they will come out on top in this one.