Rugby League: Walters adds killer touch
Hull Sharks 12 Gateshead Thunder 4
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE SKILLS of Kerrod Walters led Gateshead to a victory last night that takes them level on points with their weekend victims, Wigan, in fourth place in Super League. The former Australian Test hooker, who has not re-established himself in the Thunder's starting line-up since his brief mid-season retirement, came on as a substitute to destroy Hull's chances of rising from the foot of the table.
Gateshead opened the brighter, their leading try-scorer, Matt Daylight, adding another to his tally when he latched on to a perfectly judged cross kick from Willie Peters for the game's first points. Paul Cooke responded with a penalty for Hull.
Good work by Brett Grogan and Brian Carney saw Craig Wilson go over from close range to keep the Thunder in control, but the second quarter belonged to a Hull side showing some belief in itself. Cooke's high kick saw Daylight's attempt to palm the ball to safety only succeed in knocking it down for Craig Poucher to pounce for a try, and smart handling from Cooke and another of Hull's bright young prospects, Richard Horne, led to Andrew Purcell going over, Cooke's conversion giving them a half-time lead.
There was a strong element of good fortune in the try that put Gateshead back in the lead six minutes into the second half.
After the Hull crowd had been convinced that Ben Sammut had knocked on at the start of the move, Smith made a nonsense of Walter's clever kick through and Tony Grimaldi dived in to score.
Another telling break by Walters saw Will Robinson make the killer run for Daylight to land his 18th try of the season. Sammut added both goals and Gateshead were cruising.
Walters, 31 years old but as full of running as ever, was there again to supply the scoring pass to Peters midway through the half as Gateshead pulled clear. Hull's heads were down in the closing stages as Craig Simon picked up a loose ball for another and David Maiden sprinted away for their seventh, both in the final minutes. Sammut finished with six goals.
Hull Sharks: Poucher; Baildon, Parker, Campbell, J Smith; Cooke, Horne; Harrison, Nolan, Craven, M Smith, Booth, Purcell. Substitutes used: Lee, Leatham, Ireland, Roberts.
Gateshead Thunder: Sammut; Carney, Grogan, Simon, Daylight; Robinson, Peters; Maher, Jenkins, Carvell, Wilson, Grimaldi, Bird. Substitutes used: Walters, Maiden, S Allwood.
Referee: R Connolly (Wigan).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments