NEWCASTLE THUNDER 66 ROCHDALE HORNETS 0
PHIL WORLD, Crow Trees, Sunday
NEWCASTLE produced a fine display of attacking rugby as they scored seven first-half tries to blow Rochdale away.
This was a performance built on powerful carrying from Thunder’s forwards to create space for the backs.
It was a cautious start as both teams went through their sets, but Newcastle scored first as Taylor Pemberton and Mitch Clark kept the ball alive and Jordan Lipp went over for a score.
Myles Harrison landed the first of his nine conversions to give the Tynesiders an early 6-0 lead, and on ten minutes, they doubled their tally after Brad Ward took a pass from Sam Cook to score in the left corner.
The third try came after Ward pounced on a loose ball and ran close to the line before being caught by Max Flanagan. Jack Smith darted over from dummy half.
On 29 minutes, Hornets threatened the Newcastle line before defence turned into attack and Brenden Santi went in from close range.
Ward grabbed his second of the match shortly after as Lipp found him to go over on the left, and there was still time for two more tries before half-time.
Lipp broke and found Smith, who ran in from halfway to score his second, then Lipp turned provider again to pick out Will Roberts to go over, Harrison’s sixth conversion making it 40-0.
Rochdale had one last time to threaten before the break, but Newcastle held them up over the line on the last.
The second half was a more cautious affair as Rochdale came out to prove a point and attacked with intent, but were held out.
Andy Djeukessi scored his first of the game after another assist from Lipp, and there were further tries as King Vuniyayawa showed his strength with a hit and spin to score before Bailey Antrobus powered over from close range.
Vuniyayawa doubled his tally for the afternoon after excellent work from Roberts to keep the ball alive.
The try of the game came on the hooter as Newcastle had a scrum in their own half. The ball came to Djeukessi, who beat a couple of defenders to score from his own half, with Harrison’s third conversion of the second 40 rounding off the scoring.
This was a victory built on the powerful running through the middle of Ryan Jackson, Santi and Clark.
Rochdale had their moments and were unlucky to not score a try as they were held out by the hungry home defence, who nilled their opponents for the second week in a row.
GAMESTAR: Prop Ryan Jackson’s carrying and leg drive in his first stint set the tone for Newcastle.
GAMEBREAKER: Brad Ward’s second try on 33 minutes made it 28-0.
MATCHFACTS
THUNDER
23 Jordan Lipp
2 Andy Djeukessi
25 Jack Smith
1 Myles Harrison
5 Brad Ward
13 Sam Cook
7 Will Roberts
20 Mitch Clark
9 Taylor Pemberton
10 Ryan Jackson
8 Bailey Antrobus
12 Noah Whittingham
15 Brenden Santi
Subs (all used)
4 Jude Ferreira
17 King Vuniyayawa
22 John Sagaga
29 Sean Croston
Tries: Lipp (5), Ward (10, 33), Smith (20, 35), Santi (29), Roberts (38), Djeukessi (50, 80), Vuniyayawa (67, 76), Antrobus (73)
Goals: Harrison 9/12
HORNETS
1 Max Flanagan
22 TJ Boyd
4 Junior Sa’u
35 Alex Chippendale
2 Dan Nixon
6 Jamie Dallimore
25 Jack Hansen
8 Jaden Dayes
19 Luke Waterworth
17 Dylan Kelly-Duffy
9 Ross Whitmore
12 Ethan Wood
24 Ben Metcalfe
Subs (all used)
7 Jordan Paga
10 Lewis Hatton
18 Jordan Andrade
29 Bailey Pemberton
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 24-0, 28-0, 34-0, 40-0; 44-0, 50-0, 54-0, 60-0, 66-0
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Thunder: Ryan Jackson; Hornets: Jamie Dallimore
Penalty count: 3-6
Half-time: 40-0
Referee: Kevin Moore