Whitehaven v Newcastle Thunder preview and a look ahead to League 1 action with some thoughts on Cornwall.

Sunday afternoon sees Newcastle Thunder make the trip to the western Cumbria to take on Whitehaven.

A quick word on Cornwall

But before I preview that and other League 1 action, I wanted to talk about the sad news that came out of Cornwall during the week. For those who read my blog you'll know I have a lot of time for what was happening at Cornwall and I'm genuinely sad that it hasn't worked for them. I know there's always arguments about expansion but for me expansion is key to promoting the game nationally and getting it on more people's radar. Also from a Thunder fan perspective we'd developed a rivalry with Cornwall, healthy formed on respect for two clubs doing it tough. I hope to see Cornwall back on the rugby league radar in the future and my thoughts are with everyone who have put a lot of time into rugby league in Cornwall.

Cornwall withdrawing from the league also means one less home game for Thunder fans this season. It wouldn't be a bad idea to see if Goole Vikings fancied a friendly at Blaydon that weekend given they have a blank weekend. Or as a bit more of a long shot I noticed that Lonhorns the Irish champions are looking to play some games in England this summer, maybe they'd fancy a trip to Tyneside?

Whitehaven v Newcastle Thunder

Sunday afternoon sees Thunder make the trip to west Cumbria to take on a Whitehaven team who won big on their travels to Cornwall last week 6-78. Whitehaven have had a good start to the season and sit second in League 1 winning three from three since an opening day defeat at Swinton. They'll be firm favourites to continue their fine run of form. Whitehaven have had a rebuild in the off season with a squad being built mainly from the local game under the guidance of former Workington coach Anthony Murray.

Thunder have named a squad without key men Evan Lawther and Tyler Walton. Coming in this week are Jamie Gill, Samuel Ackroyd and Jacob Bateman from Bradford Bulls. Mac Walsh continues his Thunder spell from York and is joined by youngf Irish international outside back James Farrar from York.

It'll be another tough test and a learning curve for this young Thunder outfit but with every game they gain more experience and do seem to be learning more lessons this season in what is an incredibly tough league.

Phil's predictions

Again we have another excellent round of League 1 action this weekend.

Hurricanes v Dewsbury: I think this will be the week that Hurricanes lose their unbeaten start as Dewsbury will arrive in the Birmingham looking to put a marker down. Dewsbury to take this one.

Keighley v Swinton: this is an intriguing match and every week I expect Keighley to come good and they still haven't managed that. But I think things will change here and they'll take a win in a good advert for League 1.

Rochdale v Workington: another good match up, but I think Rochdale will have too much coming off a bye week for a Workington side who nearly beat North Wales last week.

Whitehaven v Newcastle: Whitehaven will take this, I want to see Thunder keep in the fight for as long as they can but Whitehaven will have too much.