Arguably the best youth set up in the UK, with many alumni that have gone on to dominate Super League over the years, it is a real show of character for the North East side to send them back to Leeds without a win.

With a Thunder squad boasting ten Rockets, many of Cramlington's players were at the heart of the action throughout.

The hosts shocked their guests with two swift tries, Rocket, Isaac Nokes diving over for the first and clubmates Mark Roberts creating the second.

A half time score of 12-all showed that Leeds weren't going to give up so easily and both sides traded tries after the break in terrible conditions.

Having denied a try in the first half, Jack Allen made one for himself after a period of pressure on the Rhinos' line.

Captain for the day, Fergus Simpson crashed over for another four points, with Alex Donaghy converting to give Thunder a ten point margin going into the final quarter.

Despite Leeds scoring two more tries, Thunder matched them, Nokes scoring his second, Donaghy again adding the extras.

To complete a man of the match display, Roberts creating another try, again for a Rocket, feeding Jack Walker to score what were the final points of the night, leaving the score at 32-20 to the Geordies.

"A huge congratulations to the whole team and their coaches" said Rockets Chairman Jeff Ball.

"They had a great result away to London Broncos on Sunday so to turn themselves around for a game like this and take the win is really impressive.

For us, we love seeing the Rockets-linked players doing well, but they'll be the first to credit everyone in the team for the effort put in.

They are playing some exceptional rugby and I'd strongly recommend taking in a match if you can."

Ball continued: With Northumbria University becoming the top uni side in the UK today for the second year running, once again the North East is reminding everyone just how good we are."