Thunder coach hails squad resolve

Former Cronulla Sharks scrum-half Luke Branighan was man of the match

Gateshead Thunder coach Chris Hood has hailed his side's heart and resolve after Thursday's thrilling 41-36 Championship victory against Sheffield.

Thunder survived a second-half fight-back from Sheffield and Hood was delighted as his players registered a first league win of the season.

"I'm over the moon. With the adversity we've suffered we've had to pull together," Hood told BBC Newcastle.

"It's not how you fall, it's how you get up, and we did get up again."

The display, in front of the television cameras, highlighted the best and worst of Hood's side, as Thunder opened up a 31-12 lead before a disappointing start to the second period saw Sheffield claw their way back to 31-30.

But Hood says the result, and the way in which his players bounced back from the second-half collapse, is more important than analysing the mistakes.

"The attacking coach is going to get an extension to his contract, but the defensive coach is going to feel my wrath - unfortunately they're both me," he laughed.

"Some points were disappointing, but I'm over the moon for the lads and the fact we could take some resolve and get on with it."