Gateshead win for first time in 64 games

Gateshead Thunder have ended a run of 64 games without a win against professional opposition by defeating Workington in Championship 1.

Thunder’s dismal run began back in March 2010, with their only victories since then coming in the Challenge Cup against amateurs Milford Marlins and York Acorn.

Even more significantly, Wednesday’s victory came against a Town team who needed a win to keep their hopes alive of finishing top of Championship 1, a feat they can now no longer achieve.

Tom Hodgson‘s try and Gavin Beasley‘s conversion, four minutes from time, gave Thunder their win, which lifts them on to five points at the bottom of Championship 1.

Tries from Jason Payne and Tom Capper gave them a 12-6 half time lead, and a further score from Brett Waller saw them 18-6 in front on the hour mark.

The Cumbrians, whose team included former Super League stars in the shape of Jamie Thackray and Mark Calderwood, hit back through Jarrad Stack and John Patrick to move within two points.

Thunder’s dreams looked shattered when Marc Shackey’s converted try 10 minutes from time put third-placed Town 22-18 to the good, before Hodgson’s late show laid the platform for Beasley to kick what turned out to be the winning two points, ahead of a tense final few minutes.

It was only Gateshead’s second win since their administration and subsequent relegation at the end of 2009, which came a year after they had earned promotion as National League 2 winners.

Gateshead’s final game of the season takes place against play-off chasing Oldham on Sunday.