Newcastle Thunder vs Keighley Cougars Programme

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RUGBY EXcELLENCE PROGRAMME
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Kingston Park, Sunday 18 June, 15:00 KO // Betfred Championship
JACK JOHNSON 1 1 Lewis Young
ALEX YOUNG 2 2 Alix Stephenson
MARCUS WALKER 3 3 Charlie Graham
OSCAR THOMAS 4 4 Nathan Roebuck
ALEX CLEGG 5 5 Mo Agoro
ALEX DONAGHY 6 8 Dan Parker
NIKAU WILLIAMS 7 9 Billy Gaylor
Jay Chapelhow 8 10 Toby Everett
Curtis Davies 9 11 Kyle Trout
Mitch Clark 10 12 Aaron Levy
Alex Foster © 11 13 Kyle Kesik
Brad Gallagher 12 14 Harvey Spence
Connor Bailey 13 16 Josh Lynam
Denive Balmforth 14 17 Keenan Dyer-Dixon
Ted Chapelhow 15 18 Anesu Mudoti
Robert Tuliatu 17 19 Ellis Robson
Jake Lightowler 18 20 Brad Walker
Nathan Clemmitt 19 21 Lloyd Roby
Gideon Boafo 20 22 Dane Chisholm
Evan Lawther 21 23 Robbie Storey
Jake Anderson 22 24 Mark Ioane
Connor Moore 23 25 Ben Crooks
Daniel Okoro 24 26 Thomas Doyle
Max Flanagan 25 27 Sadiq Adebiyi
Mac Walsh 26 28 Keeen Thomlinson
Jack Miller 27 33 Jake Webster
Matthew Laidlaw 28 38 Joe Hird
Nick Staveley 29 00 Aidan Scully
Evan Simons 40
Tyler Walton 00
Dane Windrow 00
NEWCASTLE

Good afternoon and welcome back to Kingston Park for
our third home game in a row!
We’re excited to be back for another week and looking
forward to the challenge ahead, with Keighley Cougars
the visitors on this occasion.
I want to pass on a big welcome to our opposition this
afternoon in what should be a great game of rugby
league.
There’s no hiding that we’ve been on a bit of a slump in
form and struggled to get the results but that hasn’t
been without some top performances from the lads.
We’ve run close to a number of top teams in this league
and we know a win is just around the corner.
I’m confident in Chris and the lads, and I have no doubts
they can get us over the line and start to build some
momentum.
We massively appreciate the ongoing support from you
guys, the lifeblood of the club, and hopefully we can turn
it around as we move into the second half of the season.
We’re delighted to have Thunder Community’s Girls
Futures Programme on the main pitch ahead of kickoff
this afternoon. The community are doing some
incredible work growing the game in the region and
the introduction of this programme is just one example
of that.
For all of your distribution
and storage needs
• Transport and
logistics
Talk to us about:
• Storage and
warehousing
• Pick and pack
services
We have a schools fixture on today as well so a big
welcome to them and best of luck in the game. We hope
you make the most of your time with us at Thunder HQ.
Be sure to stick around after the final whistle as well.
Our U18s host Wakefield Trinity as part of our doubleheader
this weekend.
Thank you once more for supporting the club and let’s
hope for another fantastic celebration of rugby league
in the North East this afternoon.
KEITH CHRISTIE
Chair of Newcastle Thunder
4
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moodylogistics.co.uk

CHRIS
THORMAN
CHRIS THORMAN
Good afternoon and welcome back to
Kingston Park for the third time in three
weeks.
A big thank you to all the supporters who
have joined us once more for another
Thunder match-day at the home of rugby
league in the North East.
A big welcome to our opposition Keighley
Cougars. They’re a great side with some
quality players and we’re excited for the
challenge that lies ahead.
As a group we were particularly frustrated
with how last week’s fixture played out, we
had a great opportunity to take home the
win and couldn’t get ourselves over the
line.
We’ve regrouped however, review the
game and gone through what we need to do
to ensure we can build on what was a solid
performance for the majority of the game.
I’m confident going into today’s fixture
with Keighley. We know it’ll be a tough game
given how the reverse fixture played out
but I’m positive the lads will pull together
and ensure we secure that win.
Our 18s also take centre stage this
afternoon. They host Wakefield Trinity
following the first team fixture. Myself
and the lads will be staying the cheer them
on and we hope you can join us and do the
same too.
Once more thank you for all your support,
you are integral to the growth of this club
and it’s important you get behind the lads
this afternoon and spur them on to secure
that win.
CHRIS THORMAN
Head coach
6 7

CLUB
NEWS
SUMMER SEASON TICKETS
ON SALE NOW
Newcastle Thunder is
delighted to announce its
summer seasonal memberships
are now available to purchase
online and in store.
The 10-game package includes
all of Thunder’s remaining
home games and also boasts
the following benefits:
• Free stadium
car parking.
• 10% off
merchandise in the club shop.
• FREE access to
all home reserves, under-18s
and under-16s academy home
fixtures.
NEWCASTLE THUNDER
U18s IN ACTION
Following the first team
fixture against Keighley
Cougars on Sunday, June 18, the
club’s U18s side will play host
to Wakefield Trinity.
Entry to the fixture is FREE for
both season ticket holders and
match-ticket buyers.
The East Stand Tap & Tackle
bar will remain open and be
sure to join us and support the
Thunder stars of the future.
The fixture kicks off at 5:45pm
Dane Windrow
Evan Simons
East Stand seating
memberships are available
for £115 for adults, £95 for
concessions and 16-24-yearolds
and U16s can secure their
seat for £20.
East Stand terraced standing
memberships are available
for £75 for adults, £60 for
concessions and 16-24-yearolds
and U16s can secure their
seat for just £10.
The summer season ticket
does include our Magic Friday
fixture against Bradford Bulls
but all those attending the
game and already purchased
the match ticket, can see the
price discounted off their new
seasonal membership. Contact
our ticket office to get this
arranged.
To purchase your Summer
season ticket, click HERE or for
more details please contact
our ticket office by emailing
ticketoffice@newcastlefalcons.co.uk
or by phoning
0191 214 5588 (opt 1).
HARVEY BARRON
FEATURES ON DUAL
REGISTRATION
Hull FC youngster Harvey
Barron was called upon by
Thunder head coach Chris
Thorman ahead of the club’s
fixture against Batley Bulldogs
last time out.
He joined the club as part
of the dual registration
agreement with Hull FC, with
the partnership announced
back in January.
The 20-year-old played every
minute of the 26-12 defeat
but fronted up well in defence,
spoiling a few Batley chances
as well as strong in attack
with a few dominant carriers.
The agreement with the Super
League side allows Thunder to
utilise non-playing members
of the squad and have them
feature in Championship
action.
10 11

MASTER’S TOUCH RUGBY AT
KINGSTON PARK
Are you looking for a fun, new activity to get
involved with?
Thunder Community is delighted to bring a
brand-new Master’s Touch Rugby programme
for everyone aged 35+. Touch Rugby is a fast,
exciting, sociable non-contact form of the
game, and a great way to keep fit!
COMMUNITY
NEWS
Open to players of all abilities, the sessions
are perfect for experienced players, work
colleagues, friendship groups and people new to
playing rugby.
From just £2.50 per session, you can join us every
Monday night from 6:30-7:30pm at Kingston Park
Stadium.
To book, please head to www.rugbycamps.co.uk/
thunder.
For more information, please contact
community@newcastle-thunder.co.uk
THUNDER COMMUNITY SOCIAL 6s
Rugby league teams from the North East joined us for our pre-match
activity ahead of last week’s clash with Batley Bulldogs.
SIGN YOUR SQUAD UP FOR THE
2023 MOODY CUP FESTIVAL
Newcastle Thunder’s ever-popular Moody Cup
will make a welcome return to Kingston Park
this summer. Entries for the 2023 Moody Cup
are beginning to flood in, with the competition
set to be the biggest and best yet!
Thunder Community Social 6’s saw players from U12 and U14s take part in
6-a-side games to hone in on their Rugby League skills.
Non-playing members of the Newcastle Thunder squad were also on hand
to share their expertise and assist with coaching, leading some position
specific skills sessions.
The Junior rugby league grassroots festival will
take place ahead of Newcastle Thunder’s Betfred
Championship clash against Widnes Vikings on
Saturday 5th August.
Supported by Cramlington-based Moody
Logistics and ran by Thunder Community, the
Moody Cup offers clubs a brilliant day of rugby
league for players from U7 to U16.
All players, coaches, parents and spectators will
be able to enjoy the popular fan zone with live
entertainment, and plenty of food and beverage
stations, including the famous Kingston Park
BBQ.
The Moody Cup is open to all grassroots club
across the UK, with the festival free to enter.
All participants receive a complimentary ticket
for the Newcastle Thunder game that follows,
while spectators watching can join the young
players in the stand for £7.
To register or for more information, please
contact community@newcastle-thunder.co.uk
14 15
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @falcons_community Facebook: Falcons Community Twitter: @FalconsCF LinkedIn: Newcastle Rugby Foundation

Ball Steal
Not 10
Rugby League is played by two teams of 13
players, playing on a pitch that is 100m
long.
Games are played in two 40-minute halves,
with the team with the highest score after
the combined 80 minutes winning the game.
You may run forwards with the ball, and you
may kick the ball forwards, but as in rugby
union, you can only pass the ball backwards
or sideways.
If you pass the ball forwards or knock the
ball on (that is deflect the ball towards the
opposition, try line by contact with the
body or arms) possession is handed over to
the opposing side.
In rugby league, teams are allowed up to six
tackles to score. Once a player is tackled,
the tackler must let go of the ball carrier
and his teammates must retreat 10 meters.
The ball carrier is allowed to stand up and
then play the ball back to a team mate to
start the process again.
If a team is tackled a sixth time, possession
of the ball is handed over to the defending
team who gain possession of the ball from
the spot of the tackle.
Try – Worth four points a try is scored when
downward pressure is applied to the ball on
the ground in the opponents in-goal area.
The ball can either be ran into the in-goal
area or kicked through and touched down.
Conversion – After scoring a try teams
can add additional points by successfully
kicking a goal called a conversion. Taken
from a spot 20 meters from the goal line
and perpendicular from where the try was
scored. Kicking the ball over the crossbar
and between the posts scores two points.
Penalty – If the opposition commits a foul,
teams can opt to attempt to score a goal
by kicking the ball between the posts and
over the crossbar from the spot where the
infringement took place, this also scores
two points.
Drop Goal – A drop goal can be scored by
kicking the ball through the posts and any
point in open play. To score these, the ball
must be dropped onto the ground before
being kicked. Worth just one point, a drop
goal is rarely seen, but in close games it
can be the difference between victory and
defeat.
In summary, if you can count to six, you are
going to enjoy a game of rugby league.
When two or more people are involved in
a tackle, a ball steal occurs when a player
from the defending team takes the ball off
the attacking player who has been tackled.
Dissent
If a player disputes decisions taken by the
referee or verbally abuses the officials
then a penalty for dissent may be awarded.
Double Movement
If the ball carrier is tackled and held before
the try line and then lifts their arm
to reach out and place the ball over the try
line, this is classed as a double movement
with a penalty awarded to the defending
team
High Tackle
If a defending player contacts the head of
the attacking player carrying the ball, a
penalty for a high tackle will be awarded.
Late Tackle
If the attacking player passes the ball to a
team-mate and the defender has had time
to pull out of his attempted tackle but carries
through, he has committed a late tackle
and will be penalised.
When a player doesn’t retreat behind the
next 10m line or goes too early when defending
the next tackle of a set, a penalty
will be awarded. This can also be awarded
as an offside penalty.
Obstruction
When an attacker prevents a defender from
getting to the ball carrier to effect a tackle
by getting in between the two players, a
penalty is awarded for obstruction
Offside
As well as an infringement around being
10m from the play the ball, offsides can also
be awarded in instances where players are
in front of a kicker.
Tackle in the air
If a player has jumped to take the ball in the
air and the defending player makes no attempt
to play at the ball, but instead goes
straight for the player or makes a tackle
before the gathering player returns to the
ground, a penalty will be awarded
For a host of other offences, referees will
simply reset the tackle count bay awarding
a “Six Again”
This is signaled by the referee waving a
clenched fist above his head from left to
right.
To make it more difficult for the other team
to score, the attacking team will usually
kick the ball away on the fifth tackle to
increase the distance between the opposition
and the try line.
A team will run with the ball, get tackled,
play the ball backwards and repeat this
process up to six times in the attempt to
score up to six points at a time, before the
other team will have a go.
The object of the game is to score more
points than the opposing team with several
ways to do this during a match.
16 17
17

ROB
TULIATU
“
I started playing rugby
league when I was four
years old in West Sydney,
Australia.
Robert Tuliatu joined Thunder ahead of the 2023
season and has been a consistent feature in
Chris Thorman’s match-day squad.
To date, the prop-forward has made 13
appearances in Thunder colours since joining
from fellow Betfred Championship side, London
Broncos.
The Australian born powerhouse began playing
the sport of rugby league early on and reflected
on his journey so far.
“I started playing rugby league when I was four
years old in West Sydney, Australia. I then moved
to the Hunter region which is close to Newcastle
in Australia where I played most of my junior
rugby.
“I played for various teams from then on and
I was at Cessnock Goannas for most of it and
also enjoyed a few features in the Ron Massey
Cup with Mount Pritchard Mounties and Asquith
Magpies.”
Following his stints in Australia, Tuliatu was
scouted by current League 1 side London Skolars
where he spent the 2019 season, making 13
appearances.
18

“I’ve really enjoyed the
North
East. It’s a welcome
change of
pace compared to
London and
Newcastle in
Australia.
From here the 27-year-old
then turned his focus to his
education, completing a double
Bachelor of Arts degree in
Philosophy & Ancient History
combined with Law.
“I got my first playing
opportunity in the UK playing
for London Skolars. I had
some time left to finish my
university degree, so I went
back to Australia to do that.
“Once I finished my university
course, the coach at Skolars
had got the job at London
Broncos so I moved back to the
UK last year to play for them.
“So yeah, I’ve played all over
the place and for various
teams during my career. I’ve
also represented Australian
University side and played
for the Greek national side at
both the university world cup
and the rugby league world cup
last year.”
“I then met Chris Thorman
last year when we played
against Workington. I’m a
good friend of Neil Thorman,
Chris’ brother so through that
capacity I was also introduced
to him and from there had
some discussions which led to
me joining Thunder this year.”
Tuliatu was part of the Greece
Rugby League World Cup
squad that took part in the
tournament last year. He made
two appearances throughout
the campaign and in total has
represented his country 10
times, scoring three tries.
“My mother is Greek; my
matrilineal family heritage
comes from the island of Crete,
so this lineage allowed me to
become a citizen of Greece in
2018.
“I lived there towards the
end of 2019 as well in Athens,
which has now become like a
second home to me.
“My international debut was
emotional. It came in the
World Cup qualifiers against
Ukraine in Ukraine. In the city
of Kharkiv, which was an unreal
experience.
“From that it extended into
several years playing for the
national side but the first
game was certainly emotional
for me.
“The World Cup was a surreal
experience for me. I don’t think
any of the squad really thought
it would come to fruition when
we started the qualification
campaign.
“When it did come it was sort
of a victory just being there,
even before any games had
been played. Especially given
the turmoil we had off the
pitch.
“Qualifying for the world
cup allowed us to get the
recognition we needed.
Playing in the tournament and
going to all these stadiums,
playing against some of the
best athletes in the game, was
just the cherry on top. It was
the reward for all the hard
work we put in.”
Tuliatu moved to Tyneside
ahead of the 2023 season and
has grown accustomed to a
calmer way of life in the North
East.
Reflecting on his newfound
love for the area and the
atmosphere across the playing
squad, Tuliatu added.
“I’ve really enjoyed the North
East. It’s a welcome change of
pace compared to London and
Newcastle in Australia.
“I’ve really enjoyed it, and the
playing group gets along well.
We have a strong playing group
here and despite the lack of
on-field success, we haven’t
turned against each other.
“We still support Chris and one
another, which has made my
20 21

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ALL THUNDER PRODUCTS
“my international debut was
emotional. It came in the
World Cup qualifiers against
Ukraine in Ukraine.
my experience quite pleasant.
I love the area, the facilities
at Thunder and the company of
everyone involved.”
Outside of rugby and briefly
touched upon before, Tuliatu
has completed a degree in
law, practiced for a period
back in his native Australia
and is open to exploring the
opportunity, should it come
about in the future.
“I did a double BA with Law and
philosophy & ancient history,
which took about 7 years to
complete.
“I took a year out when I was
with Skolars, which some
could say was my gap year. I
came home after finishing the
degree and then I had to do the
college of law, which is the
equivalent of the bar exam.
“It’s an opportunity I have
access to. I practiced law back
in Newcastle before I came to
the UK.
“It’s something that I am
open to but I’m not sure in all
honesty. When it comes to it,
I’ll assess where I’m at but I’m
open to any experiences.
“I did enjoy law and it might be
something I go back to and I’m
still admitted as a solicitor in
Australia so who knows.”
A keen traveler, Tuliatu also
enjoys exploring new cultures
and embracing different ways
of life outside of playing rugby.
“What I enjoy is getting new
experiences and perspectives
on life and seeing things from
different points of views.
“Travel is probably the most
accessible way to do that. I
like going to see what rural
Albania is like and what life is
like for people in Ethiopia for
example.
“It’s not necessarily the act
of travelling I enjoy but it is
being in new environments and
exploring new perspectives
and cultures, which comes
hand in hand with travelling.
“I have a few bucket list items
I want to tick off this year, but
nothing booked yet. There’s
a bit of hiking I want to do in
Slovenia. The Baltic states
and I would like to do the west
coast of Africa. They’re all in
the pipeline.
Taking influence from his own
teammates and looking ahead
to the rest of the season,
the prop-forward has also
set himself personal goals
to help not only better his
performances on the pitch, but
also that of the team.
“The goal week in week out is to
play the best I can.
“This year I think I’ve watched
a lot of guys like Curtis Davies,
where you see his routine and
his process, and you try and
find how to fit that in.
“You just try to find as much
consistency as you can. My
main goal is to try to have my
on field performance reflect
the work I’ve done prior.
“Chris Thorman has said
numerous times that a good
performance comes from
accumulation of good days and
that’s something I’ve tried to
embrace this year and worked
on a lot.”
23

Name
Thunder
career
apps
Thunder
career
points
Thunder
career
tries
Season
2023
apps
Season
2023
points
Season
2023
tries
Name
Thunder
career
apps
Thunder
career
points
Thunder
career
tries
Season
2023
apps
Season
2023
points
Season
2023
tries
Jake Anderson 9 0 0 2 0 0 Evan Lawther 3 8 2 3 8 2
Connor Bailey 60 32 8 17 8 2 Jake Lightowler 2 0 0 1 0 0
Denive Balmforth 14 16 4 14 16 4 Jack Miller 13 28 3 13 28 3
Gideon Boafo 31 52 13 5 8 2 Connor Moore 12 8 2 12 8 2
Jay Chapelhow 42 16 4 15 12 3 Daniel Okoro 6 0 0 6 0 0
Ted Chapelhow 54 20 5 17 12 3 Evan Simons 146 172 43 1 0 0
Alex Clegg 65 136 34 15 28 7 Nicholas Staveley 10 4 1 10 4 1
Mitch Clark 42 12 3 15 8 2 Oscar Thomas 2 0 0 2 0 0
Curtis Davies 18 0 0 18 0 0 Robert Tuliatu 13 0 0 13 0 0
Alex Donaghy 36 52 13 13 16 4 Marcus Walker 10 8 2 10 8 2
Max Flanagan 3 4 1 3 4 1 Mac Walsh 3 4 1 3 4 1
Alex Foster 24 24 6 12 12 3 Tyler Walton 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brad Gallagher 32 16 4 10 0 0 Nikau Williams 16 78 2 16 78 2
Jack Johnson 45 108 27 12 20 5 Dane Windrow 3 4 1 3 4 1
Matthew Laidlaw 5 0 0 5 0 0 Alex Young 10 20 5 10 20 5

26
PLAYER SPONSORS
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Jan & Jim Neighbour
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MMG Sports
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Cleaning Services
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OFFICIAL CLUB PARTNERS

1.
1.
1. 1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1 Jack Johnson
Fullback
2 Alex Young
Wing
3 Marcus Walker
Centre
4 Oscar Thomas
Centre
18 Jake Lightowler
Loose forward
19 Nathan Clemmitt
Loose forward
20 Gideon Boafo
Wing
21 Evan Lawther
Centre
BTS Boiler
Technical
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
The Mosley
Family
1.
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5 Alex Clegg
Wing
6 Alex Donagh
Standoff
7 Nikau Williams
Scrum-half
8 Jay Chapelhow
Prop
22 Jake Anderson
Prop
23 Connor Moore
Prop
24 Daniel Okoro
Prop
25 Max Flanagan
Fullback
The Tynemouth
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Jan & Jim
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National Care
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1.
1.
1.
1. 1.
1.
1.
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9 Curtis Davie
Hooker
10 Mitch Clark
Prop
11 Alex Foster ©
Second row
12 Brad Gallagher
Second row
26 Mac Walsh
Centre
27 Jack Miller
Standoff
28 Matthew Laidlaw
Prop
29 Nick Staveley
Prop
Ludwell
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FAMILY
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1.
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13 Connor Bailey
Loose forward
14 Denive Balmforth
Hooker
15 Ted Chapelhow
Prop
17 Robert Tuliatu
Prop
40 Evan Simons
Hooker
-- Dane Windrow
Prop
-- Tyler Walton
Prop
AVAILABLE TO
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28 29

FIXTURES & RESULTS
JANUARY
F: SAT JAN 18 V KEIGHLEY COUGARS (L 12-24)
FEBRUARY
BC: Sun Feb 5 v Swinton Lions (W 6-18)
BC: Sat Feb 11 v Toulouse Olympique XIII (L 58-0)
BC: Sun Feb 19 v Keighley Cougars (L 44-24)
BC: Sun Feb 26 v Featherstone Rovers (L 56-6)
MARCH
BC: Sun Mar 5 v Barrow Raiders (D 18-18)
BCC: Sat Mar 11 v Stanningley SARLC (W 16-58)
BC: SAT MAR 18 V LONDON BRONCOS (L 6-36)
BC: Sun Mar 26 v Widnes Vikings (L 24-16)
APRIL
BCC: Sat Apr 1 v Rochdale Mayfield ALRFC (W 12-
22)
BC: FRI APR 7 V SHEFFIELD EAGLES (L 20-44)
BC: Sun Apr 16 v Whitehaven RLFC (L 31-6)
BCC: Fri Apr 21 v York RLFC Knights (L 22-18)
MAY
BC: SUN MAY 7 V HALIFAX PANTHERS (L 16-36)
BC: Sun May 14 v York RLFC Knights (L 26-22)
SB: Sun May 28 v Sheffield Eagles (L 38-32)
NEXT TIME AT KP
JUNE
BC: FRI JUN 2 V BRADFORD BULLS (L 12-28)
BC: SUN JUN 11 V BATLEY BULLDOGS (L 12-26)
BC: SUN JUN 18 V KEIGHLEY COUGARS (3PM)
BC: Fri Jun 23 v Sheffield Eagles (7:30pm)
JULY
BC: Sun Jul 2 v London Broncos (3pm)
BC: SUN JUL 9 V WHITEHAVEN RLFC (3PM)
BC: Sun Jul 16 v Halifax Panthers (3pm)
BC: SUN JUL 30 V SWINTON LIONS (3PM)
AUGUST
BC: SAT AUG 5 V WIDNES VIKINGS (3PM)
BC: Sun Aug 20 v Bradford Bulls (3pm)
BC: FRI AUG 25 V YORK CITY KNIGHTS (7:45PM)
SEPTEMBER
BC: SAT SEP 2 V TOULOUSE OLYMPIQUE XIII (3PM)
BC: FRI SEP 8 V FEATHERSTONE ROVERS (8PM)
BC: SAT SEP 16 V BARROW RAIDERS (3PM)
BC: Sun Sep 24 v Batley Bulldogs (3pm)
KEY: BC = Betfred Championship, BCC = Betfred Challenge Cup,
SB – Summer Bash, F = Friendly.
(Home games in capital letters)
FIRST TEAM
V WHITEHAVEN RLFC
SUN JULY 9th
BETFRED CHAMPIONSHIP
Kick-off: 15:00
RESERVES & ACADEMY
MARCH
R: Sat Mar 4 v St. Helens Reserves (L 72-4)
R: SAT MAR 18 V LONDON BRONCOS RESERVES (W 48-6)
U16: Wed Mar 22 v Huddersfield Giants Academy (L 66-4)
U18: SUN MAR 26 V LEEDS RHINOS ACADEMY (L 0-84)
R: FRI MAR 31 V CASTLEFORD TIGERS RESERVES (L 10-22)
APRIL
U16: WED APR 5 V BRADFORD BULLS ACADEMY (L 20-30)
U18: Thu Apr 6 v Bradford Bulls Academy (L 78-16)
R: Sat Apr 15 v Huddersfield Giants Reserves (L 32-18)
U18: THU APR 20 V HULL FC ACADEMY (L 10-76)
R: FRI APR 28 V WARRINGTON WOLVES RESERVES (L 6-54)
MAY
U16: Wed May 3 v Castleford Tigers Academy (L 44-14)
U18: SUN MAY 7 v ST. HELENS ACADEMY (L 110-4)
R: Sun May 14 v Hull FC Reserves (L 58-12)
U18: Sat May 20 v Warrington Wolves Academy (L 68-6)
R: FRI MAY 26 V WAKEFIELD TRINITY RESERVES (L 14-32)
JUNE
R: Sat Jun 10 v Hull KR Reserves (PP)
U16: Sat Jun 17 v London Broncos Academy (2pm)
NEXT TIME AT KP
R: SUN JUN 18 V WAKEFIELD TRINITY RESERVES (2PM)
R: SUN JUN 25 V LEIGH LEOPARDS RESERVES (2PM)
U16: Wed Jun 28 v Hull KR Academy (7pm)
JULY
U18: Sat Jul 1 v London Broncos Academy (2pm)
R: Sat Jul 8 v Wigan Warriors Reserves (12pm)
U16: WED JULY 12 V WIGAN WARRIORS ACADEMY (7PM)
U18: Sat Jul 15 v Castleford Tigers Academy (2pm)
R: FRI JUL 21 V LEEDS RHINO RESERVES (7:30 PM)
U16: WED JULY 26 V LEEDS RHINOS ACADEMY (7PM)
U18: SUN JUL 30 V BRADFORD BULLS ACADEMY (5:15PM)
AUGUST
R: Sat Aug 5 v Salford Red Devils Reserves (3pm)
R: Sat Aug 19 v Bradford Bulls Reserves (1pm)
U18: Fri Aug 25 v Hull KR Academy (5:30pm)
V WAKEFIELD TRINITY RESERVES
SUN JUNE 18th
Kick-off: 17:15
KEY: R = Reserves, U18 = Under-18s, U16 = Under-16s
PP = Postponed
(Home games in capital letters)
SEPTEMBER
U18: FRI SEP 8 V HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS ACADEMY (5:45PM)
30

IN OPPOSITION
KEIGHLEY COUGARS
They will be disappointed with their result
last time out, losing narrowly to Barrow
Raiders 18-16.
The club enjoyed a relatively positive Challenge
Cup run, making it the 5th Round,
where they fell short to fellow Championship
side Batley Bulldogs 34-16 back in
April.
As both sides look to end their struggles
for form, and with Thunder looking to
avenge the reverse fixture’s result we can
expect nothing short of a close encounter
with plenty of great rugby on show
JY-MEL
COLEMAN
INTERIM
HEAD
COACH
Photography credit: KEIGHLEY COUGARS
The side hailing from West Yorkshire
has had a positive season in the Betfred
Championship so far, following their
promotion from League 1 last year.
From their 14 fixtures played, they’ve
secured five victories and nine losses,
which sees them sit 10th in the table.
They’re level with York RLFC Knights but
edge them on points difference and are
two only two points off 8th and 9th placed
London Broncos and Whitehaven.
Their victories this year have come against
today’s hosts Newcastle Thunder, London
Broncos, their local rivals Bradford Bulls,
York RLFC Knights and Whitehaven. The
Cougars are, however, struggling to find
form in the league with four losses in a
row.
Keighley Cougars are headed by interim
head coach Jy-mel Coleman following the
departure of long-standing head coach
Rhys Lovegrove last month.
A former assistant to Lovegrove, Coleman
is joined by James Feather, Dean Muir and
Jordie Hedges to complete the coaching
set-up.
The former half-back enjoyed a stellar
playing career, which saw him feature
for both his current club, Keighley
and his opposition. Coleman made five
appearances in Thunder colours back in
2019.
The 34-year-old also holds a number
of international honours to his name,
representing Jamaica on nine occasions.
Coleman had previously enjoyed a coaching
stint at London Broncos, working as an
assistant coach to his brother Jermaine
but departed the club back in May 2022.
Photography credit: KEIGHLEY COUGARS
Photography credit: KEIGHLEY COUGARS
32 33

IN OPPOSITION
THREE TO WATCH
ALIX STEPHENSON #2
(UTILITY BACK)
Stephenson began his career at fellow
Championship side Bradford Bulls before
making the switch to their local rivals Keighley
Cougars back in 2021.
Since, the utility back has featured 33 times
for the West Yorkshire club and tallied up an
impressive 20 tries.
This season, the 22-year-old has made 10
appearances for the Cougars and returned
six tries, which included a brace last time out
against Barrow Raiders.
ELLIS ROBSON #19
(Backrow)
Robson joined the Cougars ahead of the 2023
season from today’s hosts Newcastle Thunder.
The back rower made 11 appearances on
Tyneside, scoring one try.
The 24-year-old has featured nine times for
Keighley this term and has crossed for one try
in the process.
Robson began his career at Super League side
Warrington Wolves, where he made his debut
back in 2020 against Hull FC.
Photography credit: KEIGHLEY COUGARS
DANE CHISHOLM #22
(Fullback)
Since the powerful carrier has enjoyed
numerous loan spells at Championship sides
Widnes Vikings, Bradford Bulls and Toulouse
Olympique XIII as well as League 1 club’s Dewsbury
Rams and Rochdale Hornets.
Robson has also picked up appearances for
Super League side Salford Red Devils back in
2021.
Former NRL player Chisholm, joined the Cougars
from Featherstone Rovers ahead of the 2023
season.
The 32-year-old from Mullumbimby in New South
Wales, Australia has featured 11 times for
Keighley this term and has scored three tries,
34 goals and two drop goals taking his total
points tally for the season (so far) to 82.
The fullback who is equally comfortable
operating in both half-back positions has
featured for previous clubs, Melbourne Storm,
Bradford Bulls, Sheffield Eagles and London
Broncos as well as making seven appearances
for Super League side, Hull Kingston Rovers.
Photography credit: KEIGHLEY COUGARS
34 35
Photography credit: Batley Bulldogs
Photography credit: KEIGHLEY COUGARS