MATCH REPORT // Swinton Lions (6) v (18) Newcastle Thunder

Newcastle Thunder left it late but an Alex Young double helped secure victory away at Swinton Lions in their opening game of the 2023 Betfred Championship season.

Two tries in the final five minutes ensured Thunder returned to Kingston Park with all the points, in what was head coach Chris Thorman’s first competitive game in charge of the club.

The feisty encounter saw little action in the first half, with the only score coming a minute from the close.

Newcastle had some positives moments throughout the half, asking questions of the Swinton side but falling short on numerous occasions.

Winger Alex Clegg came the closest to opening the score for Thunder but was held up on the line by determined Swinton defence.

Swinton eventually broke the deadlock when centre Badrock crossed the whitewash after some positive running by the side promoted from League 1 last season.   

The half-time score being 4-0 in favour of the home side after the conversion missed.

It took 12 minutes into the second half for Thunder to get their 2023 campaign started. Academy graduate Alex Donaghy provided a beautifully lofted pass to new signing Alex Young who dived to score in the corner.

Nikau Williams added the extras which put Thunder in front for the first time in the game.

Swinton levelled with a goal just past the hour mark to make it 6-6 and as the game drew to a close it looked as though this would be the last score of the game.

With just five minutes left on the clock, Thunder crossed again in an almost identical score to their opening try. Donaghy and Young combined down the same edge for Young's second score of the afternoon. With Williams adding the extras, the score was 6-12 in favour of the North East outfit.

Minutes later the victory was all but confirmed for Newcastle when new signing Nikau Williams dummied a drop-goal attempt and powered his way to the line. Converting his own try, the final score finished 6-18 in favour of Thunder.

NEWCASTLE THUNDER SCORERS

TRIES: Alex Young 2, Nikau Williams.

GOALS: Nikau Williams 3.

SWINTON LIONS SCORERS

TRY: Andrew Badrock.

PENALTY GOALS: Nick Gregson.