Report: Newcastle Thunder 66-0 Rochdale Hornets

High-flying Newcastle Thunder ran out comprehensive 66-0 winners in Round 17 of the Betfred Championship, in what was a disappointing afternoon on the road for Rochdale Hornets.

There was a personal milestone to celebrate for Junior Sa’u, with the Hornets centre making his 350th professional career appearance, while fellow centre and new recruit Alex Chippendale made his first start for the club.

Newcastle, meanwhile, boasted a strong team featuring the likes of Bailey Antrobus, Brenden Santi and Myles Harrison, who all played key roles in York’s Championship-topping campaign in 2025.

The other major team news was that of Bailey Pemberton, who started on the Hornets bench, as he was set to face brother Taylor, who started for Graham Steadman’s side.

After a tight opening few minutes, it was the home side who drew first blood as Jordan Lipp stretched out to plant the ball down from close range.

Moments later, they were in again, this time thanks to Brad Ward, who latched onto the end of a deft chipped kick to the corner to stroll in unopposed.

Newcastle had their third midway through the half. Ward made the initial break after he picked up a loose ball on halfway but was hauled down by Max Flanagan just short of the line, before Jack Smith finished the job on the following tackle. 

Momentum in rugby league can change almost instantly, and from being under heavy pressure from the Hornets with Jordan Andrade, Jamie Dallimore, Dan Nixon and Jack Hansen all going close to getting on the scoresheet, the home side turned defence into attack as Santi powered his way through.

The game was beginning to go only way as eight minutes before the break, Ward had his second after a slick passing move cut through the Hornets defence and allowed the winger to finish in the corner.

Smith had his brace almost straight from the restart. Full-back Lipp made the break with a sharp pass inside which wrong-footed Flanagan, with the centre able to finish the job before Harrison extended the lead to 34 points with his fifth successful conversion.

Lipp was at the heart of his team’s seventh try, again slicing through the Hornets defence with Will Roberts running alongside him to add his name to the scoresheet.

Ten minutes into the second period, Andy Djeukessi added to his side’s tally in the corner, before King Vuniyayawa found his way over after 67 minutes.

Bailey Antrobus took the gap to 54 points seven minutes from time with a rampaging solo effort before Vuniyayawa bounced off the Hornets defence for his second.

Right as the hooter sounded, Djeukessi had his second with a solo effort down the wing, with Harrison capping off his impressive afternoon with a ninth conversion of the match.

A hugely important fixture awaits at Goole Vikings next week for Gary Thornton’s side, and after back-to-back defeats in all competitions, they will be eager to return to winning ways.

Newcastle Thunder: Lipp, Djeukessi, Smith, Harrison, Ward, Cook, Roberts, Clark, T.Pemberton, Jackson, Antrobus, Wittingham, Santi. Bench: Vuniyayawa, Sagaga, Croston, Ferriera.

Tries: Lipp, Ward (2), Smith (2), Santi, Robert, Djeukessi (2), Vuniyayawa (2), Antrobus

Goals: Harrison (10)

Rochdale Hornets: Flanagan, Boyd, Sa’u, Chippendale, Nixon, Dallimore, Hansen, Dayes, Waterworth, Kelly-Duffy, Whitmore, Wood, Metcalfe. Bench: Paga, Andrade, Hatton, B.Pemberton.

Tries:

Goals:

Gary Thornton reaction