No Fog on Tyne as Sheffield shine

07/04/2023

Sheffield Eagles got back to winning ways in the Betfred Championship with a comfortable 20-44 win over Newcastle Thunder at Kingston Park.

Anthony Thackeray and Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e were the stars of the Sheffield show, scoring a hat-trick and brace respectively while leading the team around with their sufficient experience.

The Eagles went into an 18-lead inside 20 minutes with Thackeray scoring twice, either side of a Laulu-Togaga’e effort.

Thunder responded with two of their own courtesy of Ted Chapelhow and Alex Young.

Newcastle went down to 12-men on the stroke of half-time as Alex Foster hit Cory Aston late.

The following set, with a minute left on the clock, saw Tyler Dickinson get over the whitewash. Aston went 4/4 from the tee in the first half, Eagles up by three scores.

Half-time - Newcastle Thunder 10-24 Sheffield Eagles

Laulu-Togaga’e came up with a brilliant defensive play in the first couple of minutes of the second half. Alex Donaghy’s break looked set to be rewarded with a try up until QLT’s tackle, which took the full-back into touch.

Down the other end of the pitch in no time, the Eagles were clinical as Thackeray ran through from a scrum play to score his third of the day.

Like the first half, Thunder enjoyed a purple patch as they got back to within eight points of the Eagles. Young completed his brace before Donaghy ran through a gap in Sheffield’s defence.

However, any potential comeback was halted by a costly error from the hosts. A grubber was spilled as two players went for the same ball, QLT was on the spot to touch down.

Brandon Douglas and Matty Chrimes made sure it was a satisfactory afternoon at the office with a try apiece during the final ten minutes.

Full-time - Newcastle Thunder 20-44 Sheffield Eagles

An extended break awaits for the Eagles as they take on Swinton Lions at Olympic Legacy Park on Monday 17th April, live on Viaplay Sports.

By Dan Fowler