A YOUTHFUL Vikings side saw off Newcastle Thunder 34-8 in their latest pre-season friendly as the club continued to help grow the game in the north east.

Tries from Ryan Ince, Jordan Johnstone, Danny Walker, Josh Houghton and a pair from Joe Lyons secured the spoils.

Assistant coach Brett Hodgson, who has helped nurture many of the juniors who turned out, was delighted.

Hodgson said: “I thought the young players were excellent, led by the Chapelhow brothers, and Danny Walker was first class in the middle of the park, too.

It was a really good performance against an open age team that they are not used to playing.

“It paves the way well for some of those kids going forward this year. We will continue to monitor them.

“One or two, if needed, would be able to step into first grade ok but the majority need another year in U19s to keep progressing and keep learning.”

Teenage hooker Walker earned particular praise from the Vikings assistant.

“He comes from Cumbria and chose our academy. He has always stood out up there, and is now doing likewise.

“He works hard and has got a great skill level. Potentially, he reminds me of Sean O’Loughlin in that he takes the hard hit-ups up the middle of the park and also plays well with the ball when we need him to.”