REPORT: Newcastle Thunder 35-34 Doncaster

[Dons News]

<p>Newcastle Thunder 35-34 Doncaster</p>

<p>Kingston Park, Newcastle</p>

<p>Kingston Press League 1</p>

<p>Attendance: 552</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Dons XIII: Carr, Sheriff, Doherty, Tali, Foggin-Johnston, Delaney, Howden, B Nicholson, Kesik, Castle, Foster, Walton,M Nicholson.  Interchange: Wright, Scott, Braham, Paleaaesina DR.</p>

<p>Thunder XIII: Simpson DR, Blair, Brown, Parker, Fox, Young, Hardcastle, Rennie, Cook, Clarke, Wood DR, Aldous, Paterson.  Interchange: Teroi, Simons, Moran DR, Welsh.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Newcastle Thunder ended Doncaster’s three match winning run to earn their first win of the season at Kingston Park.</p>

<p>Gary Thornton welcomed David Foggin-Johnston back into his starting line-up, whilst Jack Walton replaced Mike Kelly who picked up a knock during the week and Zac Braham came in for Makali Aizu.</p>

<p>Doncaster got off to a flying start when Matt and Brad Nicholson combined, with the latter going over under the posts for his first ever Dons try.  Tom Carr added the extras to give Doncaster a six point lead.</p>

<p>That lead was doubled inside 12 minutes, Kyle Kesik gave Foggin-Johnston the ball in space and he weaved his way over just to the left of the posts, with Carr converting.</p>

<p>Newcastle though got a foothold in the game soon after.  Foggin-Johnston failed to deal with a kick under little pressure, knocking on and Ali Blair almost took advantage of the free-play, but he knocked on over the try line.  From the resulting set Vincent Rennie barged his way under the posts and Benn Hardcastle added the goal.</p>

<p>Within two minutes of that try, Newcastle were over again.  This time it was Hardcastle who produced a solo moment of magic, dummying brilliantly before reaching for the try-line at full stretch.  However this time Hardcastle was unable to convert his own try.</p>

<p>Newcastle took the lead in the 27th minute for the first time in the match, the home side spread the ball out wide superbly and Joe Brown got the better of Jason Tali to score in the corner, to give Newcastle a 14-12 advantage.</p>

<p>Just on the stroke of half time Doncaster regained the lead.  Jordan Howden’s kick with the outside of his boot back on the inside caused the Newcastle defence a host of problems.  Carr picked up and he found Jason Tali who did the rest.  Carr added the conversion to ensure Doncaster had a four point lead at the break.</p>

<p>Half time: Newcastle Thunder 14-18 Doncaster</p>

<p>After the break it was one way traffic.  Kieran Moran made a fine break, he found Hardcastle before the half-back sent Brown over for his second try.  Hardcastle’s conversion ensured Newcastle the lead.</p>

<p>In the 48th minute Newcastle were over again.  Moran was held just short before the home side were awarded a penalty.  From the next set of six Thunder took full advantage with Lee Paterson barging over under the posts.  Hard castle’s goal saw Newcastle’s lead increase to 26-18.</p>

<p>Former Dons winger Peter Fox was next to get in on the act.  Newcastle spread the ball out wide superbly and Fox in acres of space on the left wing went in for one of the easiest tries of his career.  Hardcastle was again successful with the boot. </p>

<p>Fox’s try though seemed to spark Doncaster into life.  Carr’s low grubber kick to the corner wasn’t dealt with by Newcastle and Jason Tali touched down for his second try.</p>

<p>Three minutes later Tali completed his hat-trick.  Tali and Carr once again combined with a grubber kick and Tali scored once more.  After missing the previous kick, Carr was successful with the conversion reducing the deficit to four points.</p>

<p>In the 73rd minute Brad Nicholson conceded a penalty 40 metres from the Dons try line for holding down.  Hardcastle kicked the penalty to give Newcastle a 34-28 advantage.</p>

<p>Three minutes from time Sam Doherty broke down the wing for Doncaster, he chipped inside for Sheriff and he was so unlucky, the bounce didn’t fall for him and he could only knock on 15 metres from Newcastle’s line.</p>

<p>In the next set Thunder made good ground and Ben Hardcastle added a drop goal to seal the points.</p>

<p>Brad Delaney scored a consolation try right on the hooter with a neat kick and chase and Carr added the extras, but it couldn’t prevent Newcastle from taking a one point victory.</p>

<p>Full Time: Newcastle Thunder 35-34 Doncaster</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Newcastle Tries: Rennie, Hardcastle, Brown x 2, Paterson, Fox</p>

<p>Newcastle Conversions: Hardcastle x 4</p>

<p>Newcastle Penalty Goal: Hardcastle</p>

<p>Newcastle Drop Goal: Hardcastle</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Dons Tries: B. Nicholson, Foggin-Johnston, Tali x 3, Delaney</p>

<p>Dons Conversions: Carr x 5</p>

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