NEWCASTLE THUNDER 18 DONCASTER 33
PHIL WORLD, Crow Trees, Saturday

DONCASTER produced a dominant display to down Newcastle on Tyneside to book their spot in the Championship Grand Final.

It was Thunder who started the liveliest with sets on the Doncaster line but excellent early defence kept the Tynesiders at bay.

The early defensive efforts gave Doncaster confidence and on 14 minutes Bureta Faraimo got the first try of the game as he powered his way over from dummy-half to get the scoring underway in a 4-0 lead.

Around the midway point in the half, Faraimo got his second in a try-scoring blitz that saw him get a first half hat-trick.

Doncaster went wide and found Faraimo in the corner to go over and score, Connor Robinson was successful with his kick and Doncaster led 0-10.

The visitors’ game was built on physical dominance with Faraimo getting his hat-trick on 27 minutes, it was a clever move as Doncaster worked the short side smartly for Faraimo to go over. Robinson converted and Doncaster led 0-16.

The game threatened to boil over at times as the tackles were flying in and Doncaster were awarded a penalty from a high shot. Robinson slotted the kick to extend the lead to 0-18.

The game continued with a play-off edge to it as James Vella had a word with both captains towards the end of the half. Late on, the excellent Robinson slotted a drop goal to take the half-time score to 0-19.

Thunder came out trying to play in the second-half as they had in the first but the story of their game was that they couldn’t convert chances into points.

As it was, Doncaster got the crucial first score of the second-half on 52 minutes as Luke Briscoe chipped through to score. Robinson converted and Doncaster were well 0-25 ahead.

Moments later, the visitors once more piled on the pressure and Connor Jones was the beneficiary as he went over to score. Robinson added the extras to take it to 0-31.

At this point it looked like Doncaster could run away with it but Thunder showed some character and came back.

On 64 minutes, Jude Ferreira received the ball wide and powered his way over. Thunder scored two further tries, Brad Ward went over and Myles Harrison converted.

In the act of scoring, Ward was taken late by Brad Knowles who received a yellow card and Thunder got an eight point try.

Shortly after, Connor Robinson slotted a penalty to take the score to 12-31.

The final score came on the hooter as Thunder threw caution to the wind. The ball was chipped through and Will Roberts went over, Harrison converted.

But, the day belonged to Doncaster, whose powerful, composed performance earned a place in the final.

GAMESTAR: Connor Robinson ran the game for Doncaster and his kicking game pinned Thunder back.

GAMEBREAKER: Doncaster’s early defensive effort kept Thunder at bay and set the tone for their performance.

MATCHFACTS

THUNDER
1 Myles Harrison
2 Andy Djeukessi
11 Harvey Reynolds
4 Jude Ferreira
5 Brad Ward
27 Jordan Lipp
7 Will Roberts
10 Ryan Jackson
13 Sam Cook
22 John Sagaga
8 Bailey Antrobus
12 Noah Whittingham
17 King Vuniyayawa
Subs (all used)
20 Mitch Clark
18 Ukuma Ta’ai
26 Kieran Hudson
25 Jack Smith

Tries: Ferreira (64), Ward (71), Roberts (80)
Goals: Harrison 3/4

DONCASTER
1 Tom Holmes
5 Luke Briscoe
4 Reece Lyne
24 Watson Boas
2 Bureta Faraimo
6 Cory Aston
7 Connor Robinson
8 Brad Knowles
19 Connor Jones
17 Muizz Mustapha
12 Alex Sutcliffe
22 Luis Johnson
14 Jacob Jones
Subs (all used)
21 Tyla Hepi
20 Isaac Misky
10 Suaia Matagi
29 Tom Whitehead

Tries: Faraimo (14, 21, 27), Briscoe (52), C Jones (57)
Goals: Robinson 6/7
Field-goals: Robinson (38)
Sin bin: Knowles (71) – late contact

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 0-10, 0-16, 0-18, 0-19; 0-25, 0-31, 4-31, 10-31, 12-31, 18-33

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Thunder: Bailey Antrobus; Doncaster: Connor Robinson

Penalty count: 5-5
Half-time: 0-19
Referee: James Vella