Cornwall RLFC head coach Mike Abbott has unveiled his 21-man squad for the highly anticipated Betfred League 1 clash against Newcastle Thunder, set to take place this Sunday at 1.00pm at the Memorial Ground.
This marks the first-ever meeting between the two teams, with both sides eager to secure their first victories of the season.
Cornwall’s Quest for Home Victory
Cornwall RLFC, known as the Choughs, have yet to secure a win on home soil this term. Their last outing saw them dominate Hunslet for much of the match, only to falter in the final 10 minutes, allowing the Parksiders to snatch victory. Head coach Mike Abbott remains optimistic, highlighting the team’s improvement since their April home defeat against the Midlands Hurricanes.
This weekend, Cornwall welcomes back powerhouse centre Tom Ashton, who returns after missing several games. The squad also sees the inclusion of loan players Josh Rhodes and AJ Boardman, alongside Sam Campbell, who made his debut last week under a dual registration agreement with Halifax Panthers. Decarlo Trerise is back after recovering from a concussion injury sustained in the win over Midlands Hurricanes.
Newcastle Thunder’s Fight for Survival
Newcastle Thunder, led by chairman Keith Christie, have faced significant challenges, with initial indications suggesting the team might withdraw from rugby league’s professional ranks. However, they have managed to remain in the third tier and are steadily becoming a competitive League 1 outfit.
Last week, Chris Thorman’s team delivered a commendable performance against Rochdale Hornets at the Gateshead International Stadium, narrowly missing out on victory. Despite a rocky start to the season, Newcastle is showing signs of progress and is determined to secure their first win of 2024.
Coaches’ Insights
Mike Abbott acknowledges the tough challenge posed by Newcastle, noting their growth and resilience throughout the season. “We expect nothing less than a really tough game against Newcastle,” Abbott stated. “Like us really, they have grown into the season and last week they pushed a good Rochdale side very, very close. But we will be focusing on ourselves and our performance.”
Abbott remains confident in his squad, especially with the return of key players and the absence of new injuries from the Match Review Panel. “Tommy is back for us this week after missing a couple (of games) and other than Kaine and Kyle, who aren’t that far away, we came out of the Hunslet game relatively unscathed.”
Full Squad List
Cornwall’s 21-man squad for the clash against Newcastle Thunder includes:
- Aaronson
- Tom Ashton
- Bannister
- AJ Boardman
- Black
- Boots
- Brown
- Sam Campbell
- Collins
- Conroy
- Cullen
- Lloyd
- Mitchell
- Nichol
- Josh Rhodes
- Ross
- Rusling
- Simpson
- Small
- Decarlo Trerise
- Weetman
The match promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams strive to make their mark in the Betfred League 1. Fans can look forward to an exciting game at the Memorial Ground this Sunday.
