MATCH REPORT // Stanningley SARLC 16 v 58 Newcastle Thunder

Newcastle Thunder get their Challenge Cup underway with a 11-try victory over Stanningley SARLC.

Despite some slight disruption in the build up to the fixture, the third round tie against Stanningley SARLC finally got underway a day later than initially planned.

The fixture was rearranged to Sunday, March 12 due to a frozen Arthur Miller Stadium pitch and late Saturday night it was announced it would be played an hour earlier due to the RFL obligations of medical staff.

With difficult circumstances in place, huge credit must go to the team at Stanningley SARLC. In the true spirit of rugby league, it was great to see the community pull together and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure the fixture went ahead.

With the game underway at the rescheduled 12pm kick-off, Thunder would prove too strong for the Leeds outfit in the first 40. Running in eight tries in total and with four successfully converted, Thunder led 0-40 at the half-time whistle.

Hull KR loanee forward Connor Moore crossed first for an early Thunder advantaged before captain Alex Foster dotted down. Winger Alex Clegg crossed twice either side of a try from full back Jack Johnson before completing his hat-trick late on in the half.

Johnson would secure his brace soon after before second row Connor Bailley dived over just before the break.

It would be the hosts who had the first say of the second half. Quick thinking from Jack Sykes saw the dummy half dart through the line to score Stanningley’s first try of the afternoon.

With just over an hour on the clock Thunder crossed through scrum half Jack Miller for his first try in Thunder colours. The score now stood at 6-46 with 62 minutes played.

The hosts would get their second try of the game, again through Jack Sykes and not long after would have another try on the scoresheet through Nathan Simpson. With one converted the hosts pulled the score back to 16-46 and led the second half 16-6.

With less than 10 minutes left to play, it was Thunder who would have the final say with two tries in quick succession. The first through centre Evan Lawther who continues his impressive try-scoring record and the second through back Max Flanagan, making his competitive debut in Thunder colours.

With both scores successfully converted, the final score stood at 16-58 in favour of the Betfred Championship side.

Up next for Thunder is the club’s first home game of the season as they host London Broncos in the Betfred Championship on Saturday, March 18.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased HERE.

NEWCASTLE THUNDER SCORERS

TRIES: Connor Moore, Alex Foster, Alex Clegg 3, Jack Johnson 2, Connor Bailey, Jack Miller, Evan Lawther, Max Flanagan.

GOALS: Jack Miller 5, Nikau Williams 2.

STANNINGLEY SARLC SCORERS

TRIES: Jack Sykes 2, Nathan Simpson.

GOALS: Dean Parker 2.