NEWCASTLE THUNDER coach Graham Steadman will watch on wondering what might have been – and what could yet be – when Widnes attempt to topple powerful London Broncos in the 1895 Cup final next month.
For the high-flying north-easterners had designs on progression in the competition for clubs outside Super League, which climaxes at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31.
However a 30-20 quarter-final defeat by Widnes ended that ambition, leaving Steadman and his players to, as the old saying goes, focus on the league.
The experienced team chief believes the setback both added to the desire to book a big-match experience, potentially against London, through the play-offs, which start the weekend after the 1895 final, and also provided a wake-up call.
Thunder had won their previous four games, including an 1895 first-round home victory over Batley, and since the loss, have seen off Goole, Hunslet, Keighley, Rochdale and Whitehaven, posting a total of 304 points and conceding just 22 in those five outings.
Next up is Saturday’s intriguing trip to Barrow, who were beaten 37-22 at Blaydon in April in one of Thunder’s 14 wins in 17 league games.
“Like Widnes, they are a very good and well-coached side and it will be another big test for us and a gauge of where we are,” said Steadman, who is assisted by experienced Tongan forward Ukuma Ta’ai.
“The Widnes tie provided us with a reminder of the physicality and speed of many of the sides at this level and gave us a few useful pointers of areas we needed to look at.
“We’re going okay, but there’s plenty of rugby left and we have to keep working hard at getting better.”