Thornhill storm to cup triumph in Gateshead

Mindaugas Bendikas scored a hat-trick of tries as Thornhill Trojans eased into the National Conference Cup second round.

It took Thornhill just seven minutes to open the scoring when a 40-20 put them on attack and the ball was moved to winger Mindaugas Bendikas, who crossed. Sam Ratcliffe converted.

Gateshead knocked on and Sam Ratcliffe pounced on the loose ball before racing 70 meters up the slope to score a long range unconverted try.

A superb pass from Luke Haigh put Bendikas away for an unconverted try.

Gateshead replied when David Cash stepped through a gap and headed down the slope to score try which Adam Houston converted.

But Thornhill stepped up the pace and good handling from Liam Morley and Haigh put Jake Hickling over for a try which Sam Ratcliffe converted.

Thornhill conceded another try as soon as the second half got underway. Andy Morris chipped to the in-goal area and pounced to score. Houston converted.

But three tries in the space of five minutes killed off any Gateshead hopes.

Jake Wilson broke clear before Danny Ratcliffe kicked to the corner and Sam Ratcliffe pounced to score a try which he converted.

Man of the match Haigh put Bendikas away to score his hat-trick try and Sam Ratcliffe converted.

Substitute Jake Ratcliffe, making his first appearance of the season, then finished off a long range break which involved Ryan Fenton and Sam Ratcliffe.

Gateshead scored their third try when a period of sustained pressure resulted in Scott Woods planting the ball over the line.

Thornhill responded to run in a further five tries to finish the job off.

A Haigh break set up Fenton for a try which Sam Ratcliffe converted and a good interchange of passes then created Fenton’s second.

Adam Allerton broke clear showing good speed and strength to make ground before sending the supporting Haigh over for a deserved try with Sam Ratcliffe adding the conversion.

Allerton broke clear to go over for a try of his own and Sam Ratcliffe converted.

The final try of the game was scored by Joss Ratcliffe with Sam Ratliffe kicking his ninth goal to see the Trojans safely through to the next round.

n Dewsbury Celtic crashed out of the cup, losing 62-0 at Hunslet Warriors, who ran in 11 tries.

Gary McClelland, Jake Corney and Dale Bateson grabbed a brace of tries apiece, with Lloyd Templeton, Mackenzie Tennant, Johnny Dawson, Dave Norton and Lee West also scoring for the Warriors, with McClelland adding nine conversions.