McCormack's side ran in seven tries but still came up short

Gateshead coach Steve McCormack was frustrated after seeing his side score seven tries but still lose at Featherstone on Sunday.

Thunder were beaten 56-40, missing out on a bonus point after conceding a late try to add further misery for the former Widnes coach.

"To score 40 points you think you're in with a shout," he told BBC Newcastle.

"Coming to Featherstone's always difficult and we've got to be a little bit tougher, we let them roll over us."

McCormack's side played some flowing, entertaining rugby in racking up their seven tries, but all too often failed to clamp down Rovers in dangerous positions.

And he admitted his side needs to be stronger if they are to cut out the defensive errors that gifted Featherstone crucial points.

"We can score points, it's never been a problem but to concede that many points in a game, you're not going to win.

"You've got to put your body on the line sometimes, and far too many times, certainly in the second-half, we didn't do that enough.

"We've got to be more physical and when a team steps up and gets us in an arm-wrestle we've got to come out the other side on top, we fell short in the ruck and what's expected of us."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version