Newcastle Thunder Match Report

Coventry Bears at Newcastle Thunder Match Report

Thunder on a roll too much for Bears

Newcastle Thunder 68 Coventry Bears 20 at Kingston Park by Mike Hyde

A Newcastle side coming of the back of five consecutive victories proved too much for Coventry Bears to handle as the hosts cemented their place in the playoff positions for promotion to the Championship.

The Bears started nervously as theNewcastle onslaught started from the kick off, and were 6-0 down with only four minutes played.

Five minutes later Newcastle were over again. And again after another four minutes, leaving the Bears 18-0 down with just thirteen minutes played.

At this point the Bears started to show a little more resistance and briefly went on the offensive.

But with just a quarter of the game gone, the Coventry side were 30-0 down before Chris Barratt managed to pulla try back and avoid a potential whitewash.

However, Thunder’s strong and physical play was relentless and two more tries followed before the hooter sounded to give the Bears some relief from the onslaught.

Half time Newcastle Thunder 42 Coventry Bears 4

The Bears came back onto the pitch looking to restore pride if nothing else and with barely a minute of the half gone, Brad Delaney neatly avoided two defenders to get a second try for the Bears.

Newcastle were shaken, yet still able to respond five minutes later.

But never-say-die Bears replied again thanks to Mikey Russell and this time Brad Delaney was successful with the conversion putting the score at 48-14, which seemed decidedly respectable having been 30-0 down half an hour previously.

That was to be the narrowest margin of the half as Thunder added three more tries without a reply, and getting themselves a half century lead, 64-14, in the process.

The Bears did manage to get over the line one final time with Charlie O’Mara taking advantage of Jordan Gale’s well timedpass.

But then so too were Newcastle to end the day with a 48 pointmargin as they marched into the promotion playoffs.

Full time Newcastle Thunder 68 Coventry Bears 20

Bears return home this Sunday 16th July, 3pm kickoff to face North Wales Crusaders.