REPORT | Newcastle 26 Dons 32

[Dons News]

The Dons produced a brilliant second-half comeback to get their Betfred League One campaign off to a winning start at Newcastle Thunder.

The home side had much of the early pressure, and made the most of it with five minutes gone, as Alex Clegg had the strength out wide to force his way over.

Full back Connor Wynne almost marked his Dons debut with a try as he broke down field, before his kick inside was dealt with well by Lewis Young. 

That sparked the visitors into life and they had their first try when stand off Jordan Howden dabbed a great kick through for centre Connor Bower who was the quickest to react and get his side on the board.

Thunder were next to strike in an entertaining game at Kingston Park, as Remy Marginet found the experienced Misi Taulapapa down the right and the former Featherstone centre made no mistake with his finish.

They were in again when prop forward Alex Rowe made a strong run down the middle of the field, and with the defence scrambling, Young gathered the ball and evaded two defenders to score.

There was still time for a fourth Thunder try before the break, as Marginet skipped along the line before finding winger Mo Agoro in space to score in the corner.

The Dons came out for the second-half looking to find a way back into the game, and had a try within two minutes of the restart as Kyle Kesik put Jordie Hedges through a gap in the line to score.

They had another try back 10 minutes later when Hedges looked to be going nowhere before getting a brilliant offload away to Jason Tali who powered his way over against his former club.

Winger Matty Chrimes made it a debut to remember just before the hour-mark, as he got on the end of a floated ball out wide from Matty Beharrell, and weaved his way over the try-line.

Richard Horne’s side went in front for the first time when after a 40/20 from Beharrell, his half-back partner Howden cruised over the line on the first tackle of the next set.

The Dons sealed the win with five minutes remaining, as some quick hands from Danny Langtree saw Sam Doherty race free down the right and supply the pass inside to Kesik, who rolled over the line after an ankle tap.

Newcastle pulled a try back late on as Clegg showed good pace down the left to reduce the deficit, but the Dons had done enough to secure a crucial two points.

View the full article