Thunder hit back to earn fighting draw

NEWCASTLE Thunder played out a thrilling 30-30 draw with Widnes Vikings on their return to the Betfred Championship as they battled back from a 14-point half-time deficit.

Quickfire tries from Connor Bailer, Jack Johnson and Kieran Gill gave the hosts a share of the points.

Newcastle made the dream start to their first Championship game since 2009 with the opening try after just two minutes as centre Gill took the ball at pace and rode out the Vikings attempted tackle to crash over from close range.

The Vikings made the most of the opportunity for a well-placed 40/20 kick which gave them possession 15 metres from the Newcastle line and a set – from where they opened their account through a converted try from Jack Owens.

The lead was quickly extended as Newcastle conceded a penalty for a high tackle and Matt Cooke was able to work himself free of the attention of the home defenders and ground the ball from close range.

Thunder hit back with a wellworked try for Sam Wilde.

Josh Woods then played a beautiful short ball to the on-rushing Wilde who sliced through the gap for a converted try which took the score to 12-10.

Deon Cross scored for Widnes and a penalty goal made it an eight-point lead before Newcastle clawed a try back through Ukuma Ta’ai – but it was only a temporary erosion of the lead as Shane Grady responded for the visitors on the next set.

Johnson was denied twice in quick succession before Widnes scored a superb length of the field try as Jack Owens was set away for a try which gave Widnes a 14-point half-time lead.

Neither side was able to work much in the way of attacking pportunities in the second half.

Both sides were reduced to 12 men with 15 minutes left after Eribe Doro lashed out at Nathan Wilde following a dominant tackle in midfield and the Thunder man retaliated.

Thunder deservedly scored the first points of the half through Connor Bailey.

Johnson’s acrobatic leap in the corner made it a four-point game and the winger then played a sublime scoring pass to Gill, who secured four important points.