Sun 29 Sept: League 1 Preliminary Final: Newcastle Thunder v Doncaster KO 12 noon

[Rob Nash]

Seen the two line ups. 2 strong sides

[DoubleD]

Good start for Thunder, look lively and quicker than Doncaster so far. 6-0 after 9 minutes after a good try from the impressive Kieron Gill. 

The challenge for Thunder will be keeping in the arm wrestle when Doncaster get their fair share of possession 

[DoubleD]

12-0 now to Thunder after 13 minutes. Clever dummy half scoot from Carlile. 

Newcastle looking really expansive And inventive in attack, in wet conditions 

[Futtocks]

3 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

Good start for Thunder, look lively and quicker than Doncaster so far. 6-0 after 9 minutes after a good try from the impressive Kieron Gill. 

The challenge for Thunder will be keeping in the arm wrestle when Doncaster get their fair share of possession 

Nearly a third try there. The Thunder's kicking game looks good too.

[DoubleD]

Just now, Futtocks said:

Nearly a third try there. The Thunder's kicking game looks good too.

Yep it looked like Lewis Young got that down, could be decisive going 3 scores in front

[DoubleD]

Just now, DoubleD said:

Yep it looked like Lewis Young got that down, could be decisive going 3 scores in front

Correction I think the ref made the right call and it just squirmed out 

[DoubleD]

Disappointing that they haven’t got Rugby League pitch markings, particularly for such a key game. I suppose this is the issue with sharing with a union team but it should be mandatory 

[Futtocks]

2 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

Correction I think the ref made the right call and it just squirmed out 

Not much in it. As the cliché goes, "I've seen 'em given".

[Futtocks]

Just now, DoubleD said:

Disappointing that they haven’t got Rugby League pitch markings, particularly for such a key game. I suppose this is the issue with sharing with a union team but it should be mandatory 

Isn't this a double-header match with the RU team?

[Futtocks]

Lewis Young definitely got this one down! The Doncaster defence seemed to freeze for a second.

18:0

[faithfulbyname]

18-0 now

[DoubleD]

19 minutes ago, Futtocks said:

Isn't this a double-header match with the RU team?

Yes but regardless they should still have league markings for a key play off game. They can paint over them in the hour before the 2nd game. It really adds fuel to those who say Thunder are 2nd fiddle to union

[DoubleD]

Good entertaining first half, dominated by Thunder, the best I’ve seen them play. Lots of energy in attack but excellent in defence too and good game control. 18-0 half time. 

Very well reffed by Jack Smith it must be said

[JonM]

Nice try for Donny that, wicked bounce on the kick and they almost blew a huge overlap, but still a great score.

[Futtocks]

Unusual try for Doncaster there - are going to do a comeback against Newcastle again?

[DoubleD]

Doncaster come out firing in the second half and score an opportunistic try from Chase. 

I didn’t see the conversion but it seems they have inexplicably missed it from nearly in front so 18-4. Could be a crucial miss

[JonM]

1 minute ago, DoubleD said:

I didn’t see the conversion but it seems they have inexplicably missed it from nearly in front so 18-4. Could be a crucial miss

Wasn't in front of the posts - didn't seem like a particularly bad miss.

[DoubleD]

For anyone who missed it, a really interesting half time discussion from Mick Hogan who explained about the new junior team starting up in West Newcastle (Prudhoe perhaps?) taking the number of teams to 14 in the region. The big thing though was that they’re increasing the number of development officers from 1.5 to 3.5 or 4 for next year to really build on those 14 teams. Presumably all funded by Thunder and the foundation. Great work

[DoubleD]

1 minute ago, JonM said:

Wasn't in front of the posts - didn't seem like a particularly bad miss.

I’d like to see it again because the try certainly didn’t seem far off the left hand post, 10 metres or so

[Futtocks]

8 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

For anyone who missed it, a really interesting half time discussion from Mick Hogan who explained about the new junior team starting up in West Newcastle (Prudhoe perhaps?) taking the number of teams to 14 in the region. The big thing though was that they’re increasing the number of development officers from 1.5 to 3.5 or 4 for next year to really build on those 14 teams. Presumably all funded by Thunder and the foundation. Great work

He talked about a LOT of development, but never gave the impression that any progress would be artificially forced or hurried. Reassuring.

Thunder score a very nice try indeed, from a pass by QLT. Converted for 24:4.

[DoubleD]

Newcastle have re-established authority and control over the game after the early try conceded in the second half. Gill scores 22-4. 

They look really lively and impressive here. Game over and onto the final next week. Doncaster have just looked off the pace, can’t live with the Thunder

[Futtocks]

Almost another try, but Gill couldn't quite pick the ball up cleanly.

[dkw]

13 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

For anyone who missed it, a really interesting half time discussion from Mick Hogan who explained about the new junior team starting up in West Newcastle (Prudhoe perhaps?) taking the number of teams to 14 in the region. The big thing though was that they’re increasing the number of development officers from 1.5 to 3.5 or 4 for next year to really build on those 14 teams. Presumably all funded by Thunder and the foundation. Great work

Every time I've heard mick hogan speak I've become immensely jealous that we don't have him and the thunders development programme at my club. He talks a brilliant game and is great to listen to on the app. 

[dkw]

Chase has lost his head here, he won't finish this game. 

[Pigeon Lofter]

Those short restarts are producing interesting outcomes.

The kicking/rushing side seems to have more than a fair chance of reclaiming possession as the defence is often static whereas the rushers are marauding.