Thunder’s hopes take real Bashing
DESPITE a spirited fightback in the second half, Newcastle Thunder lost 38-32 to Sheffield Eagles in a feisty Summer Bash clash at the LNER Community Stadium in York.
Thunder started the fixture brightly and worked hard to get into good positions but were stunned by an interception from Sheffield’s Anthony Thackeray.
Keeping the ball alive, the Eagles opened the scoring through centre Bayley Liu who dived over in the corner.
Jack Hansen converted from the touchline and the Eagles led 6-0 after seven minutes.
Sheffield struck moments later through winger Ben Jones-bishop, collecting a loose pass and breaking tackles to score out on the right.
Hansen converted and the score now stood at 12-0 with 12 minutes played.
Thunder scored their first try of the afternoon five minutes later through winger Gideon Boafo.
An excellent assist from half-back Jack Miller with a looping pass allowed Boafo to collect a pass to dive over in the corner.
Nikau Williams converted from the touchline.
Sheffield showed their class to see out the half, adding a further two tries through Kris Welham and Brandon Douglas.
With Hansen converting both, the Eagles went into the break 24-6 up.
Thunder broke the deadlock on 46 minutes after a superb break from Williams.
Sprinting up the middle of the field, the scrum half found support in Connor Bailey who ran in unopposed. Wlliams converted and the score was now 24-12 to the Eagles.
However, the Tynesiders then conceded a quick-fire double as Liu and Jones-bishop both crosseed.
Hansen, who had been excellent from the boot all day, converted both tries - leaving the Eagles with a commanding 36-12 lead.
Newcastle, though, hit back with a double of their own soon afterwards.
Loanee Dan Windrow was the first to cross on 59 minutes after another great pass from Miller which saw the space open for the Wakefield Trinity youngster.
Williams added the extras and Thunder were now back in the match.
Another loanee was on the scoresheet for Thunder next up.
Hull FC prospect Denive Balmforth collected a neat kick through from Williams to score down the right on 63 minutes.
The creator converted the score to make it 36-24 to the Eagles.
Sheffield added a penalty goal on 65 minutes through Izaac Farrell before Thunder struck twice again.
Balmforth grabbed his second from dummy half on 77 minutes before a superb try from Alex Clegg rounded off the scoring.
A length-of-the-field break started with Williams finding Alex Donaghy, who then fed the winger to score in the corner.
Both tries were unconverted and despite a desperate attempt to secure one more score the match finished in favour of the Eagles. NEWCASTLE THUNDER SCORERS: Tries - Gideon Boafo, Connor Bailey, Dane Windrow, Denive Balmforth (2) Alex Clegg. Goals - Nikau Williams (4).
Tries: - Bayley Liu (2), Ben Jones-bishop (2), Lewis Welham, Brandon Douglas. Goals Jack Hansen (6). Penalty goal - Isaac Farrell.