Thunder ensure Warriors are forced to battle
NEWCASTLE Thunder brought their pre-season preparations to a close with a determined performance against Super League’s Wigan Warriors at Kingston Park Stadium - but they fell to a 42-12 defeat.
Fielding a squad shorn of a number of firstteam personnel through a mixture of illness and injury, Thunder endured a difficult opening 40 minutes before showing much more strongly in the second.
Wigan scored off their first attacking set with just two minutes played as former Thunder loanee Sam Halsall scored the first of three tries to break the deadlock.
A superb slice through the Thunder midfield made 30 metres and though the Thunder cover defence halted the run to the line there were enough numbers out left to give the young centre an easy walk-in.
The lead was doubled with 12 minutes played as new signing Patrick Mygo bounced off the attentions of the Newcastle defence after a series of determined carries from the Warriors put them within striking distance.
Abbas Miski opened his Warriors’ account following his off-season move from London Broncos on 19 minutes.
Thunder were giving a good account of themselves, forcing a knock-on early in a Wigan set and then winning back-to-back penalties to enjoy a spell on the attack.
However, Wigan held firm before extending their lead five minutes later through Joe Shorrocks.
The Warriors added to their advantage in their opening set of the second half through Zach Eckersley before they made the most of no one claiming a loose ball 20 metres out, working numbers out wide to allow Halsall to cross for his second of the day.
Newcastle were starting to enjoy greater cohesions and, after nearly working a looping pass out wide to Jack Johnson, made their first inroads through full-back Alex Donaghy.
A well-worked try which saw multiple passes move the point of contact around the field and open up the space for the academy product to scythe through, it was the first of back-to-back scores as Thunder hit back.
It was the strength of Matty Nicholson close to the posts which did the damage as the youngster scored his first try for Newcastle against his parent club.
Wigan managed a pair more in the closing stages as Halsall claimed his third try and Umyla Hanley rounded out the game.
Thunder begin the Betfred Championship season on Sunday at Workington Town.