Eagles bounce back with Thunderous victory

05/06/2022

Sheffield Eagles completed the double over Newcastle Thunder with a 18-31 victory at Kingston Park.

Getting back to winning ways after defeat to York City Knights on Jubilee Thursday, it was a great team performance on the Tyne which starred scrum-half Anthony Thackeray with two tries and a drop goal.

Matty Chrimes and Ryan Johnson were brought back into the side as Kris Welham was sidelined and Jason Bass moved on to the interchange.

Thackeray got the scoreboard ticking for the Eagles on ten minutes with a direct run through the Thunder defence. Izaac Farrell converted.

The try-scorer turned provider when the captain played through Josh Guzdek to touch down. Izaac once again tagged on the two.

Thackeray completed his brace with another scarper at the Newcastle defence, this one directly from a scrum as an Eagles runner went one way - the Thunder rearguard evidently confused and the scrum-half at the other side went over almost untouched. Izaac hit the woodwork with the conversion attempt.

The final score of the half for the Eagles went to Matty Chrimes, whose acrobatic efforts are becoming a regular thing. A cut-out ball from Ross Oakes took Gideon Boafo out of the equation and the former Hunslet man did the rest. Izaac converted beautifully from the touchline.

Newcastle did get on the board before the break as Josh Woods cut past a would-be defender before having enough to evade Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e. Woods also converted.

Half-time - Newcastle Thunder 6-22 Sheffield Eagles

The hosts registered the first try after the restart as Riley Dean profited from an Alex Foster chip. Woods added the extras.

A penalty goal from Izaac extended Sheffield’s lead to 12 points before the stand-off got a converted try of his own, jinking past a Thunder defender to plant the ball down.

An individual effort from Sam Halsall from inside his own half kept things interesting for the neutral but the Eagles’ defence remained solid for the last 15 minutes.

Thackeray rounded off the day with a drop goal to regain Sheffield’s three-score lead and confirm victory.

Full-time - Newcastle Thunder 18-31 Sheffield Eagles

Another big game next weekend as Bradford Bulls come to the Olympic Legacy Park on Sunday afternoon.

This will be an all-ticket game and you can buy yours here.

By Dan Fowler