Match Report: Rochdale Hornets v Newcastle Thunder Championship Round 13

Newcastle Thunder continued their winning run with a 6-54 victory over Rochdale Hornets on Saturday afternoon as we ran in ten tries.

The game started in wet conditions which made it difficult for both sides. Rochdale scored first in a first half that saw twelve penalties awarded. They had the platform from the penalties and Tom Ashton went through a gap in the Thunder defence to score. Max Flanagan converted to give the hosts an early 6-0 lead.

Thunder did respond on thirteen minutes when Jack Smith went over taking a pass from Jordan Lipp, Myles Harrison converted and Thunder led 6-4. On eighteen minutes Thunder doubled their try scoring tally for the afternoon as Nikau Williams found Harvey Reynolds who went over to score, Harrison missed the conversion but Thunder led 10-6.

As the rain came down the game was scrappy with penalties and errors were traded. Sam Cook thought he’d scored but it was pulled back for obstruction. On thirty eight minutes Rochdale attacked but Jack Smith did well to intercept, he took the ball down the right touchline but Rochdale rallied. Smith did brilliantly to not be taken into touch, quick ball went left and Jude Ferreria went over, Harrison missed the kick but Thunder’s lead was 6-14.

There was still time for one more for Thunder in that habit of scoring late in the half, Ryan Jackson rampaged up the middle and the ball worked its way to Brad Ward to score on the left, Harrison converted. Thunder led 6-20 at half time but may’ve been frustrated with their performance.

The rain had cleared for the second half and Thunder threatened early and that threat was rewarded when Tom Inman did a trademark dart over from dummy half, Harrison converted to extend the lead to 6-26. The next period of play was trademark Thunder as we looked dangerous when we went wide. The Inman try was the first of five tries in less than fifteen minutes as Thunder played with pace.

Thunder were looking to exploit the wide channels and when Brad Ward broke and grubbered through, Jordan Lipp was on the end to score and take it to 6-32. Shortly after Thunder attacked down the left again after a Sam Cook hit in midfield turned the ball over, the ball was kicked low and Ferreira grounded to score, Harrison converted to take the lead to 6-38.

Brad Ward got in on the scoring next when he competed for a flat crossfield kick, won the ball in the air and did well to get to the line, Harrison missed the conversion but Thunder were flying at 6-42. On sixty minutes, Sam Cook hit a nice line to score a deserved try, Harrison converted and Thunder led 6-48. The game started to get a bit ill tempered as it headed towards the last quarter.

Thunder passed fifty points late on as Taylor Pemberton put through a grubber kick and Harrison got on the end of it, he converted. Seconds before the hooter both teams came together, Mitch Clark was shown a yellow card.

It was a good win on the road for Newcastle and we can look forward to an 1895 Cup quarter final against Widnes next Sunday.