WHITEHAVEN 6 NEWCASTLE THUNDER 54
JORDAN WEIR, Ortus Rec, Sunday

NEWCASTLE grabbed their first ever victory in Whitehaven after 18 attempts stretching back almost a quarter of century, racking up more than 50 points in the process and showing the Championship that they mean business as their rejuvenation continues in 2026.

They had previously only ever left Whitehaven with one point, back in April 2019 after a 12-12 draw.

But five tries in the opening 22 minutes ensured that the record was coming to an end as they blew away Haven, throwing down a major challenge to their Championship rivals.

Their forwards dominated early on, scoring two of the contest’s opening three tries as Ryan Jackson and Harvey Reynolds sandwiched Brad Ward diving over in the left-hand corner.

Jackson and Reynolds found weaknesses in the home goal-line defence, which in their previous two encounters had been praised by coach Anthony Murray.

Two more tries left the home crowd practically silent as Cody Hunter backed up an Aidan McGowan break before Noah Whittingham scored from close range.

Jack Smith converted three of the opening five scores, missing the target on Reynolds and Whittingham’s efforts, although between Hunter’s and Whittingham’s scores there was an alleged biting incident on Ciaran Walker.

Haven would have hoped they had the last score of the opening half as Ethan Bickerdike was the quickest to react from a deft Walker grubber in behind the defensive line to ensure the Cumbrians got on the scoreboard. The former Workington halfback converted from wide left.

However, a failure to deal with the kick-off opened the door slightly ajar for the visitors. In the same fashion as earlier in the contest, they blew it wide open as Reynolds crashed over by the sticks to record his second of the afternoon and Thunder’s sixth. Smith once again converted, making it 6-32 at half-time.

The second half started as it ended as Ukuma Ta’ai scored within the opening three minutes following Cole Walker-Taylor’s failure to collect a kick on the final tackle.

With the game already won, Thunder looked suspect in defence for the first time, conceding a trio of set restarts, but Whitehaven couldn’t take advantage. 

A trio of tries in the final quarter gave the scoreline a slant it truly deserved.

Taylor Pemberton starred across two positions in the game and was rewarded for his hard work just short of the hour mark on the back of a second consecutive set.

McGowan then scored two contrasting tries. His first four-pointer came on the back of tiring home defence allowing the centre to saunter over from dummy-half. 

In the final minutes a deep attacking break from Jordan Lipp saw McGowan in support and once he received the ball there seemed to be only one ending, despite the best efforts of Bickerdike who chased until the end. Smith failed to add the conversion on the final score.

GAMESTAR: Taylor Pemberton played 80 minutes, moving from hooker to halfback in the second half but leading his side from the front throughout. 

GAMEBREAKER: Five tries in the opening 22 minutes saw the clash over as a contest before it had even begun, giving a harsh lesson to the Cumbrians.

MATCHFACTS

WHITEHAVEN
18 Cole Walker-Taylor
19 Dave Eccleston
23 Ben Pearce
4 Ethan Bickerdike
2 Mitchell Todd
21 Joe Lowe
6 Ciaran Walker
8 Jake Pearce
9 Ellison Holgate
22 Brett Bailey
15 Ellis Nixon
11 Connor Holliday
13 Jack Kellett
Subs (all used)
20 Marc Shackley
16 Brad Brennan
10 Jordan Thomson
32 Liam Williamson

Tries: Bickerdike (33)
Goals: Walker 1/1

THUNDER
27 Jordan Lipp
2 Andy Djeukessi
25 Jack Smith
23 Aidan McGowan
5 Brad Ward
6 Cody Hunter
7 Will Roberts
10 Ryan Jackson
9 Taylor Pemberton
15 Brenden Santi
24 Matty Foster
12 Noah Whittingham
11 Harvey Reynolds
Subs (all used)
14 Maxime Rostang
18 Ukama Ta’ai
16 Leo Tennison
28 Tyler Walton

Tries: Jackson (4), Ward (10), Reynolds (16, 38), Hunter (18), Whittingham (22), Ta’ai (43), Pemberton (57), McGowan (67, 77)
Goals: Smith 7/10

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-10, 0-16, 0-22, 0-26, 6-26, 6-32; 6-38, 6-44, 6-50, 6-54

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of The Match
Whitehaven: Liam Williamson; Thunder: Taylor Pemberton

Penalty count: 2-8
Half-time: 6-32
Referee: Denton Arnold
Attendance: 809