Midlands Hurricanes’ first game at their new ground ended in their first ever defeat to Newcastle Thunder, as the visitors had a good win with their new-look side. By coincidence, Newcastle were Midlands’ opponents from their final game at the Alexander Stadium last season. This match even had the same referee. But this year’s contest was a total contrast to 2025. Last year, Midlands were convincing winners, but to say this is a different Newcastle side is an understatement.
It was the first outing of the season for both sides and it was a tough, error strewn affair. Thirteen scrums were given away, eight by Midlands, and Newcastle took advantage with a side who played well and look like they mean business this season. Newcastle had only scored 40 points against Midlands in their previous five games against them. Two more tries for them and they’d had reached that amount in this game alone.
After a perfect first few sets, the first error resulted in the first try. After Newcastle picked up a dropped ball on the half-way line, Cody Hunter went over for their opening try on the final tackle of the set. Jack Smith converted.
The second try came on 21 minutes. Noah Whittingham broke from the 30-metre line and outpaced everyone to score. Smith added to extras to make it 12-0.
Midlands hit back 11 minutes later. Matty Chrimes picked up a high lob from Danny Craven on the final tackle of a set and slipped through to score in the corner. Lewis Else couldn’t land the conversion from out wide.
The visitors were closest to scoring again before the break, but despite three successive sets, in the last few minutes of the half, they couldn’t get over the line thanks to some dogged Hurricanes defence.
They did however extend their lead 14 minutes into the second-half as Will Roberts finally found a gap to break through and score under the posts. Smith converted to extend Newcastle’s lead to 14 points.
The match was played in good spirits until the 63rd minute when a brawl could have resulted in cards, but the referee, who had a good game himself, controlled it all well and allowed the match to continue with a full complement of players.
With 14 minutes remaining, Newcastle put a seal on that game. Following a penalty, it was a good set of six and Cody Hunter slipped his way past the Hurricanes line to run over for his second try of the game. Smith kept up his 100 percent kicking record to bring the score up to 24-4. And after his side won a six-again, Will Dagger ran over in the corner for Newcastle’s fifth to put the icing on the cake. Smith couldn’t convert.
But the last say went to Midlands. Ryan Johnson finally found his way through to score from a Danny Craven bullet pass and Sully Medforth duly converted.
Tries: Chrimes and Johnson
Conversions: Medforth
Attendance: 413
