Match Report: Newcastle Thunder v Batley Bulldogs 1895 Cup Round 1

Newcastle Thunder and Batley Bulldogs played out an entertaining cup tie in the north east but it was Thunder who progressed to the next round of the 1895 Cup in near-perfect conditions.

Batley scored first as Derrell Olpherts pounced on a loose Thunder pass to run in from twenty metres, Ben Reynolds converted to put Batley six points up. On ten minutes Brad Ward scored his first of the afternoon with an acrobatic finish in the corner from a Joe Law pass. Taylor Pemberton missed the conversion from wide.

On 16 minutes Thunder scored their second, forcing a knock-on and, from the resulting set, Jordan Lipp found Andy Djeukessi to score in the right corner, Pemberton failed to add the extras.

On 24 minutes, Thunder kicked on the last and Ward took the ball high to score his second of the afternoon as he ran in. Pemberton missed the wide conversion.

Batley got themselves back in the game and were using a flat kicking game close to the line that was causing Thunder problems. On 27 minutes, Josh Woods put a flat kick in, the ricochet found Dane Manning who went in to score a deserved try for his performance.

With the game tied up at 12-12 the next score felt crucial. It was Thunder who got it as Joe Law went over from a lovely delayed pass from Nikau Williams. Williams took over kicking duties to convert.

Batley did threaten through the excellent Manning who carried hard but support was slow to reach him. The last action of the half saw Thunder concede a penalty on the hooter which Reynolds converted, we had a cup tie on our hands.

The first score of the second half was always going to be crucial and that went to Ward to score his hattrick as he was on the end of a Williams pass. Williams converted to extend Thunder’s lead. That seemed to take the energy out of Batley.

The try of the game came on 56 minutes as Williams kicked high on the last with Ward taking the ball high above his head and dragging two defenders over the line to score. Williams converted.

Batley did try and find a way back in but lacked composure to finish off opportunities. Thunder’s final try of the game came on 72 minutes after Taylor Pemberton was tackled high. Thunder kicked for position and Pemberton did a show- and- go to go over to score. Williams missed the conversion.

Late in the game, Derrell Olpherts was shown a yellow card for contact with the head of Pemberton. Batley had the last say as Reynolds grubbered through for Josh Woods to score against his old side and Reynolds converted.

Thunder’s interchanges had a big impact that Batley struggled to deal with. Thunder secured their first ever victory against Batley and can look forward to an away tie at Widnes Vikings in the next round.

by Phil World