Thunder are rampant at Crusaders

NEWCASTLE Thunder maintained their fine run of away form yesterday, with a 30-10 win over North Wales Crusaders in League 1.

The third win on the road for Jason Payne’s side this season, the foundations were laid with a strong first-half performance which allowed Thunder to take a 22-4 half-time lead.

The Tynesiders were quick out of the blocks in Wrexham, scoring an unconverted try with just six minutes played, but they were pegged back five minutes later as the Crusaders crossed for a try through Kenny Baker.

It was a short-lived levelling of the scores as Aaron Ollet allowed the visitors to establish a six-point lead when he followed up on a superb tackle from Theerapol Ritson.

Smashing his opposite number in the tackle, Ritson’s hit forced a spill of the ball from Gavin Conroy, which Ollett proceeded to gather and score, with Shaw Tom Shaw adding the extras.

Thunder began to put plenty of pressure on their hosts and were up to 16-4 with 25 minutes played thanks to Danny Nicklas.

Making his first appearance in League 1 for Thunder this season, the scrum-half ran great support as his middles caused plenty of problems for the Crusaders’ defence and was on hand to finish a move that saw the visitors cover plenty of ground quickly and cause problems for the hosts’ defence.

After a Thunder handling error gave the Crusaders a solid attacking platform within the 20, the hosts went close to adding to their tally off a 40/20 through Alex Davison, although a great defensive effort ensured he was held up and that possession was handed over.

Thunder stuck once more prior to the break as Vincent Rennie crossed with a trademark bulldozing run from close range.

Following a slow start to the second period, it was the Crusaders who first troubled the scoreboard, as Alex Trumper stepped his way inside a gap for a converted effort, before both sides struggled to find further breakthroughs.

When Thunder were awarded a penalty for a high tackle on Liam McAvoy with nine minutes to go, Shaw opted for an attempt at goal which got the scoreboard ticking back over for the visitors, before Rennie added his second three minutes from time.

Penalised for a player lying in the ruck, Lewis Young took a quick tap penalty and laid on the scoring pass for the Cook Island international to complete a return to winning ways.