MATCH REPORT - NEWCASTLE THUNDER 12 - 42 WIGAN WARRIORS

Newcastle Thunder brought their pre-season preparations to a close with a determined performance against Super League’s Wigan Warriors at Kingston Park Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Fielding a squad shorn of a number of first-team personnel through a mixture of illness and injury, Thunder acquired themselves admirably in a 12-42 defeat.

It was a dream start for the visitors who scored off their first attacking set with just two minute played, as former Thunder loanee Sam Halsall broke the deadlock.

The lead was doubled with 12 minutes gone as Patrick Mygo showed his NRL calibre by bouncing off the attentions of the Newcastle defence after a series of determined carries from the Warriors got them within striking distance.

Abbas Miski opened his Warriors account following his off season move from London Broncos on 19 minutes as Wigan pulled the ball back to their runners from deep for an unconverted effort  

While the Warriors were being clinical when they were able to strike, Thunder were giving a good account of themselves and enjoyed their most promising passage of play as the half hour approached.

Forcing a knock on early in a Wigan set and then winning back to back penalties, it gave the hosts a period on the attack and a chance to test out their offensive patterns.

Looking slick when playing at pace, Thunder combined well to stretch the Warriors defence and attempted to force way through with a power play on the fifth and last.

Wigan though held firm before extending their lead five minutes later through Joe Shorrocks and taking a 0-22 lead into the break.

They added to their advantage in their opening set of the second half through Zach Eckersley, before Halsall crossed for his second of the day after Wigan were first to a loose ball on Thunder’s 20m line.

After a frustrating opening 40, Newcastle were starting to enjoy greater cohesions and after nearly working a looping pass out wide to Jack Johnson, made their first inroads through fullback Alex Donaghy.

A well worked try, it saw multiple passes move the point of contact around the field and open up the space for the academy product to scythe through.

It was the first of back to back scores as Thunder hit back, with another determined set on the attack. 

Playing strongly to work their way back up-field, it was the strength of Matty Nicholson close to the posts that did the damage, as the youngster scored his first try for Newcastle against his parent club.

There was almost a third when Johnson burst free down the line and fed Donaghy on the inside.

Cutting back towards the posts, the fullback was hauled down 20m short but the set still ended positively as the hosts were able to force a goal line drop out.

Attempting to work a score on the right wing, Wigan were strong enough to force Thunder into touch and win back possession

Two more in the closing stages allowed the Warriors to close out the game as Halsall scored his third and Umyla Hanley crossed with two minutes to go.

Thunder begin the Betfred Championship season on January 30th away to Workington Town.

Newcastle Thunder

Alex Donaghy, Jack Johnson, Jesse Dee, Isaac Nokes, Gideon Boafo, Craig Mullen, Connor Bailey, Teddy Chapelhow, Josh Eaves, Pat Moran, Matty Nicholson, Brad Gallagher, Nathan Wilde

Interchanges 

Lewis Peachey, Alex Sutton, Max Flanigan, Josh McDermott, Jack Skelton, Ryan Crossley, Will Groves, Tyler Hepple, Harry Lowery, Ollie Shaw

Tries: Donaghy (55) Nicholson (57) 

Goals: Bailey 2/2

Wigan Warrior

Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Sam Halsall, Kai Pearce-Paul, Zach Eckersley, Harry Smith, Logan Astley, Morgan Smithies, Brad O’Neill, Patrick Mygo, Junior Nsemba, James McDonnell, Joe Shorrocks

Interchanges

Ramon Silva, Harvey Hill, Kavan Rothwell, Jacob Douglas, Umyla Hanley, Jack Bibby, Tom Forber, Benn O’ Keefe, Ellis Hobson, Bill Myers