Thunder make it eight wins on trot

Jun 16 2008 The Journal

Doncaster 12, Gateshead Thunder 27

AN in-form Gateshead Thunder’s winning run stretched to eight games with a 15-point victory at Northern Rail Cup finalists Doncaster.

Thunder were awesome at times, particularly in defence, and after the Dons opened the scoring with a penalty, they roared back with two tries in three minutes.

Free-scoring second rower Dylan Nash crossed from close range following a scrum, and then centre Nash turned provider with a break that set up a try for centre Kevin Neighbour.

A penalty for interference at the play-the-ball saw playmaker Dan Russell stretch the Tynesiders’ lead with the boot in front of a four-figure crowd at the Keepmoat stadium.

Kyle Briggs was held up in goal as Doncaster, who knocked Gateshead out of the Northern Rail Cup earlier in the season, struggled to breach a solid defence. Another Russell penalty put two more points on the board as the Dons found it difficult to repel pacy Thunder attacks in a game of a staggering 31 penalties – 18 conceded by Gateshead. Thunder’s third try came just before the half-time hooter as winger Robin Peers continued his rich vein of form since his recall to the side. The influential Nash was again involved in the build-up as Peers touched down in the corner, but Russell’s conversion attempt struck the crossbar.

Thunder were good value for their 20-2 haf-time lead but, despite playing their second game inside three days, the Dons hit back to edge the second half.

Wayne Rettie got the home side’s first try after 55 minutes and then Zeb Luissi threw a dummy to hit the line two minutes later and cut the gap to eight points.

Thunder weathered the storm and a solo effort from loose forward Dean Jamieson settled the game. A Russell penalty and field goal in the last 10 minutes rubber-stamped a priceless victory as Gateshead re-established their four-point lead at the top of Co-op National League Two.

GATESHEAD THUNDER: Kain, Peers, Neighbour, McAlpine, Sanderson, Thorman, Russell, Payne, Smith, Cakacaka, Nash, Knowles, Jamieson. Subs; Clarke, McPhail, Suka, Barron.
Referee: Jamie Child (Dewsbury)
Attendance: 1,036.
Half-time: 2-20
Penalty Count: 18-13.
Scoring: Doncaster – Tries: Rettie (55m), Luissi (57m). Goals: Briggs (2).
Gateshead – Tries: Nash (8m), Neighbour (11m), Peers (40m), Jamieson (63m). Goals: Russell (5), Field Goal: Russell (1).