NEWCASTLE THUNDER 44 KEIGHLEY COUGARS 18
PHIL WORLD, Crow Trees, Sunday

NEWCASTLE sealed a fourth win in six league games this season – and a first at home – on the back of an eight-try display.

The final score didn’t do justice to how close this game was as Thunder turned the screw late on.

It was the hosts who scored first when Harvey Reynolds found a gap in the Keighley defence to go through, with Will Roberts landing the first of his six conversions.

Newcastle added to their try count after 13 minutes when Jordan Lipp threw a lovely pass to find Jack Smith on the right to score.

At this stage the signs looked ominous for the Cougars but they rallied and ex-Newcastle man Nathan Rushworth ran a lovely line to score. Izaac Farrell converted.

Keighley then went close again but the home defence held firm.

After 31 minutes, Newcastle were on the attack and Cody Hunter put a grubber kick through, with Joe Law on the end of it. Roberts’ goal made it 16-6.

Keighley started the second half the stronger side and looked threatening. They forced Newcastle into a goal-line drop-out and thought they’d scored just after, but the referee ruled a double movement.

Keighley were relentless at this point and pressure told when Farrell, who had a fine game, found his way over the line and he converted to bring the score to 16-12. 

Newcastle notched next though, as Roberts broke and found Tom Inman who went over to score, Roberts converting.

Keighley weren’t going away however, and a brilliant high kick was followed up by the defence, who forced Brad Ward into touch.

This gave a platform to attack again and attack they did, with Leeds loanee Jacob Stead running a really nice line to go in. Farrell kept up his perfect kicking record.

Keighley really had their tails up and Newcastle fans could have been forgiven for reliving Dewsbury at home where a lead was let go.

The crucial moment of the game then happened on 64 minutes. Farrell chipped through dangerously and followed up but Lipp gathered and raced ahead all the way to the line to score. Roberts converted.

Newcastle turned on the style in the last 15 minutes with two tries for Law, who therefore completed his hat-trick.

For the first, he barged his way over taking a couple of defenders with him (Roberts improved) and for the second, he showed some real pace after Hunter had unlocked the Keighley defence.

Ward scored the final try of the afternoon after a Lipp break and floated Hunter pass. Roberts converted again.

GAMESTAR: Although Newcastle’s Joe Law had an exceptional game, Jordan Lipp was the home stand-out.

GAMEBREAKER: With the score at 22-18, Izaac Farrell chipped through but Lipp gathered and raced in to score.

MATCHFACTS

THUNDER
27 Jordan Lipp
25 Jack Smith
3 Joe Law
24 Matty Foster
5 Brad Ward
6 Cody Hunter
7 Will Roberts
22 John Sagaga
9 Taylor Pemberton
15 Brenden Santi
12 Noah Whittingham
11 Harvey Reynolds
17 King Vuniyayawa
Subs (all used)
8 Bailey Antrobus
18 Ukuma Ta’ai
28 Tyler Walton
30 Tom Inman

Tries: Reynolds (8), Smith (13), Law (31, 66, 74), Inman (52), Lipp (64), Ward (76)
Goals: Roberts 6/8

COUGARS
1 Connor Sayner
2 Brad Holdroyd
5 Dylan Proud
21 Alfie Dean
19 David Foggin-Johnston
6 Izaac Farrell
24 Ben Dean
33 Emmanuel Waine
14 George Flanagan
17 Jordan Schofield
32 Sam Littler
27 George Hill
26 Nathan Rushworth
Subs (all used)
11 Lucas Green
17 Leo Aliyu
31 Joe Diskin
34 Jacob Stead

Tries: Rushworth (15), Farrell (47), Stead (61)
Goals: Farrell 3/3

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 10-6, 16-6; 16-12, 22-12, 22-18, 28-18, 34-18, 38-18, 44-18

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Thunder: Jordan Lipp; Cougars: Izaac Farrell

Penalty count: 5-7
Half-time: 16-6
Referee: Scott Mikalauskas