NEWCASTLE THUNDER made a winning start to the new Betfred Championship rugby league season as Eamon O’Carroll’s side ground out a deserved 20-6 win away to Workington Town.

A pair of back-to-back tries early in the second half allowed Thunder to seize control of the match, before determined defence in deteriorating conditions made sure of the result.

The victory represented the ideal start to Thunder's start to their second-tier campaign this season.

It was an action-packed start to the game with neither side affording the other any quarter, with the intensity spilling over after six minutes following a forceful carry from Thunder.

Once the fracas had been calmed Newcastle’s Sam Hallas and Workington’s Jordan Thomson were shown yellow cards after being identified as the main culprits before Workington enjoyed a prolonged period on the attack.

Conceding three penalties and a goal line drop-out, Thunder had to defend manfully to keep the hosts from scoring before forcing a turn over thanks to a knock on.

On their first real attack Thunder marched upfield before being penalised for a player being in front of the kicker, as the overriding theme of the half continued to be an over-zealous sounding of the referee’s whistle.

It was Newcastle who eventually broke the deadlock as the half-hour approached, as their backfield runners combined to create an overlap on the left wing.

Centre Isaac Nokes’ strong carry and neat offload ensured the Workington Town defence was unable to reset, making the space for Jack Johnson to score the first try of the season.

Having previous been unable to find there way through Newcastle’s defence, Town were quick to hit back, as half-back Jamie Doran made a half break close to the line before feeding Caine Barnes for a converted try seven minutes from the break.

A tentative start to the second 40 saw errors from both sides before Thunder made the most of a penalty 20 meters out from the Town line, with a short range try from prop forward Nathan Wilde converted by Jake Shorrocks.

With that score about the basics, Thunder’s next was more about the style as another swift charge from their own half was finished off with a neat pass infield to Brad Gallagher, whose change of direction gave him a clear run to a try under the posts.

When Alex Foster added Newcastle’s fourth try of the afternoon on the hour it gave them a 14-point advantage, but as wind and rain began to become a factor, Town were galvanising and looking for a way back into the game. To keep them out, Thunder had to come up with some big efforts, including a forced turn over on halfway.

As the weather deteriorated further, Workington mustered a final charge but a big tackle from Lewis Peachey and quick reactions from Craig Mullen kept the hosts at bay.

Thunder play again on Sunday when they host Batley Bulldogs in their first home game at Kingston Park.