Woods honours late brother with stellar display in huge win
CAPTAIN Josh Woods inspired Newcastle Thunder to their first ever win over Bradford Bulls just days after the death of his younger brother Ben.
The skipper played a key role as the Thunder battered the three-time world champions 53-10 and made it back-to-back wins at Kingston Park.
Newcastle scored the final 39 points of the match as they ran riot on their own patch.
Flying out of the blocks, the Thunder seized the lead in the third minute as Woods and Jack Johnson combined in trademark style at the end of a determined set of six.
A lofted pass out to the wing from Woods cut out enough defenders to give Johnson a one-on-one where he beat David Foggin-Johnston to slip out of the tackle.
Four minutes later Josh Eaves burrowed over from dummy half, with Jake Shorrocks converting both scores but the hosts’ task was made harder when they lost Alex Foster to the sin bin after he made contact with the match referee.
Once back up to their full contingent, an easy penalty goal for Shorrock extended the lead to 14-0 before Bradford threatened a fightback around the half-hour mark.
Ryan Millar was first to strike and then Foggin-Johnston punished an error from Mullen three minutes later to make the scoreline 14-10.
Those inroads were quickly wiped out as Newcastle ended the half strongly. Shorrocks struck first as he finished off another potent break before Woods’ passing game played in Sam Halsall to make it 24-10 on the cusp of the half-time hooter.
It was a case of rinse and repeat at the start of the second forty for Thunder, with Johnson again striking just three minutes in.
On his 150th career game, Brad Day crashed over before another scrum close to the line allowed Shorrocks to play in Gideon Boafo.
Woods sank a drop goal just after the hour before fancy footwork from Foster allowed him to dive over.
Dual-reg hooker Tom Forber scored his first Newcastle try with 12 minutes to go and completed a memorable win on an emotional day.
Hull pipped local rivals Hull Kingston Rovers 34-28 in the final game of Magic Weekend at St James’ Park.
Fans who travelled to Newcastle were treated to a feast of rugby, with Warrington Wolves beating Catalans Dragons 36-10 and Huddersfield Giants seeing off Salford Red Devils 30-18.
The Hull derby was the highlight of the day and it didn’t disappoint.
Second half-tries from debutants Ellis Longstaff and Josh Simm secured the win for FC, but it wasn’t without controversy, with the Robins having four tries disallowed, including a late effort from Elliot Minchella.
Huddersfield’s win meant they moved up into third place in the table, overtaking French side Catalans, who were mown down by improving Warrington.