Match Report: Newcastle Thunder v North Wales Crusaders Betfred Championship Round 20

Newcastle Thunder produced a dominant display to beat a spirited North Wales Crusaders outfit this afternoon running in 16 tries in the process equaling and breaking a club record in the process.

Thunder were too strong for a North Wales side who never gave up and battled all the way to the final whistle.

Will Roberts scored the first two tries of the game, the first from an Andy Djeukessi pass and the second was on the back of a Jordan Lipp kick. Thunder’s third of a first half when they scored eight tries came as Alfie Horwell showed composure to find Andy Djeukessi to score the first of his five of the afternoon.

North Wales short kick offs were causing Thunder problems as they struggled to regain possession giving them chances to attack. Graham Steadman could be frustrated with elements of his side's performance as they weren’t at their free flowing best and were clunky in attack.

Thunder did score further first half tries through Lipp on the end of a Roberts grubber kick, Ryan Jackson powered his way over from short range. Djeukessi’s pace burned the defence and he found Jack Smith to score. Ukuma Ta’ai barged his way over and Djeukessi scored the try of the game when his pace on the right wing got his score. Myles Harrison kicked seven out of eight in the first half.

The second half started off with some errors and Crusaders had a chance to score but couldn’t capitalise. Thunder brought 50 points up as Mitch Clark carried and offloaded to Lipp to score, Harrison converted. Djuekessi got his hat trick as he was on the end of a Lipp pass.

Brad Ward got in on the act with a quick fire double in the left corner, the second using his strength to stretch to the line to take it to 0-66. North Wales short kick offs continued to cause problems but they lacked composure when they got close to the line, often opting for a grubber kick which was dealt with by the defence.

Thunder scored four more tries Djeukessi got his fourth, Clark beat Law to a Ward kick to score, Jude Ferreira finished acrobatically in the corner and Djeukessi got his fifth after Noah Whittingham broke and kindly gave it to Djeukessi to score, to leave a full time score of 0-90.

North Wales stuck to their task and didn’t take a backwards step against a high flying Thunder side. Connor Terrill carried hard for them especially in his first stint on the pitch. They’ll stick together as a club and keep going.

Myles Harrison’s 14 goals beats Rhys Clarke’s club record and he also equalled Ben Hardcastle for the most points in a game. Andy Djeukessi’s five tries equalled Andy Walker’s total from 2003 in a dominant victory for Thunder.

Thunder continue their quest for a top two finish as the race for placings in the Championship play-offs heats up, they host Swinton next Saturday afternoon.