Stormer of a show put on by Thunder
NEWCASTLE Thunder booked their place in the Kingstone Press League One play-offs with a 26-24 victory at York City Knights.
A determined display allowed the Tynesiders to take advantage of other results going their way and seal fifth place.
Jason Payne’s side headed into the weekend in seventh place and needed not only to beat fourthplaced York but have both Doncaster and Keighley Cougars take nothing from their final Super 8 fixtures.
Part one of that equation was settled in Thunder’s favour in Toronto on Saturday evening and the Kingston Park club made an assured start to the quest at Bootham Crescent.
They struck first on 10 minutes through Evan Simons.
Having been put on the front foot by strong runs from Liam McAvoy and Jack Aldous a set prior, Thunder played themselves up to the shadow of the post, from where the hooker employed his favoured dart from the play the ball to cross.
The visitors enjoyed another good attacking set but after conceding a penalty 20 meters from their own line found themselves back level as York played through the tackles and eventually created space for Andy Ellis to cross.
When Thunder regained the lead, it came following a turnover created by a knock-on.
Rhys Clarke shipped out to his fellow skipper Joe Brown before he released Dan Parker into space.
Faced with two defenders in front, the winger put in a clever kick which the Knights were forced to carry into touch to snuff out the threat.
However, that bought them only momentarily respite as, from the resultant restart, Thunder were able to play in full back Tom Shaw for a try.
A superb 40/20 from half-back Benn Hardcastle on 36 minutes laid the platform for Thunder to score their third, thanks to another shortrange dart from replacement hooker Aaron Teroi.
Super League-bound centre Derrell Olpherts then broke through a tackle on half way and cantered in for an unconverted try for 20-6.
Despite starting the second half strongly, Thunder conceded the opening try of the half and were then reduced to 12 men following the sin-binning of Parker.
The Knights seized upon the extra space created in the Thunder defensive line to go within two points of their visitors.
Thunder, hwoever, were soon back to an eight-point lead thanks to Shaw’s second try of the game.
A breakaway try for the Knights with seven minutes to go set up a nervy finale.
However, Thunder have developed a skill for closing games out in recent weeks and marshalled their way to an away match against Barrow Raiders next weekend.