Royal Engineers Too Strong For Storm.

The Royal Engineers who have been in a team training camp in preparation for their Lawson Cup campaign looked a well drilled outfit from the start.

It took the British Army men only 7 minutes to get over the Storm try line with the Engineers talented half back missing the kick.

Both sides took the game to each other until good hands saw Jon Mason squeeze in at the corner on 36 minutes, the resulting kick proved too much of an angle for Adam Houston making the score 6-4 to the Engineers.

The Royal Engineers started the second half the quickest with try’s on 43 and 52 minutes which were both converted by their half making the score 21-4.

But Storm hit back again with Jon Masons 2nd try on 59 minutes, this time Adam Houston adding the extras to make it 21-10 and keeping Storm in the game.

As the game wore on the Forces fitness started to show and a combination of tired bodies and poor tackling cost Storm two try’s on 61 and 67 minutes which were both converted by the on target halfback.

Gateshead were able to rally together and clawed back some points when Jon Mason claimed his hat trick on 70 minutes, again Houston added the extras making the score 28-18.

The Engineers weren’t finished and on 75 minutes they crossed for their final try which was again converted making the final score 34-18.

Storm Coach Chris Parker commented “this was a great test for the players today. The Royal Engineers were a big, fit and well drilled side and just the kind of test we wanted for our boys. I don’t think they were any better players than us but the fitness and the condition of the players together with their British Forces grit that has been installed into them means they will do well against most teams.

Parker continued “that will be the most physically demanding game they will play this season. Some of the players struggled with the intensity and those boys need to get out and do something about that. Rugby league is a tough game and you need to be fit and strong to do well in it. You need to have a bit of fight in you and step up to the challenge when it comes running towards you.”

Next up for Storm is a trip down to York based side York Lokos on the 20th April.