On This Day...16th March

Monday 15th March 2010

Story in brief:
16th March 2009

2005 ARRIVA TRAINS CUP - 16TH MARCH 2005

GATESHEAD THUNDER 30 - 20 WORKINGTON TOWN

Gateshead Thunder made it two victories from three in the Northern Rail Cup as they ended Workington Town's five-match winning start to the season.

Thunder staged a thrilling comeback 5 years ago today after they leaked 12 points in the opening seven minutes against a Town side that had won 16 of its previous 18 games.

It was a stirring display by a rejuvenated Gateshead who remain in contention for a place in the quarter-finals after their 30-20 win.

Coach Dean Thomas said:

"We scored some fine tries and it was a great comeback but we started slowly again and can't afford to make the errors we did early on."

Gateshead, Workington and first division Whitehaven have both lost once in the six-game northern group.

"The group is wide open," added Thomas.

"The attitude and character was 100% better than against UTC and we've now got to produce a similar display at Derwent Park this weekend."

Thunder did not have ball in hand in the opening nine minutes as Workington swept forward.

But a debut try from teenage back Steve Elms began the revival and then full back Kevin Neighbour found a chink in the Town defence.

Only two points separated the sides at the interval but three unanswered tries from Wales A international Phil Carleton, centre Craig Firth and winger Graham Stephenson put Thunder 14 points ahead.

Jon Roper scored a fourth try for the visitors eight minutes from time but there was never a threat of a determined Thunder throwing away an impressive victory.

"It was good to give the crowd something to cheer," said Thomas.

"They really got behind what is a new-look team and the confidence is clearly growing."

LINE UP: Neighbour, Elms, Brown, Firth, Stephenson, Carleton, Birch, Martinez, Tomes, Line, Cakacaka, Bradley, Rutherford. Subs: Garside, St Bernard, Arizmendez, Fall.

Thunder tries: Elms (12mins), Neighbour (19), Carleton (56), Firth (61), Stephenson (68).

Goals: Birch (5).

WITH THANKS TO THE JOURNAL