Gateshead to play Leigh at Kingston Park

Gateshead will return to Kingston Park, the home of rugby union side Newcastle Falcons, to play Leigh Centurions next month.

With Gateshead International Stadium unavailable, Thunder will host last season’s winners in their final Northern Rail Cup group match on March 4.

They previously played at the ground in their final home game of the 2008 season, when the side lifted the National League 2 trophy in front of a bumper crowd and the SKY TV cameras.

Prop Matty Barron, part of the 2008 championship winning squad, said: “This is a great venue to play at. The stadium is a purpose built Rugby stadium. The crowd are right on top of you and give you the lift that you need from a 14th man.”

Kingston Park is owned by Northumbria University, has a capacity of 10,200, and is home to Newcastle United FC reserves and Newcastle Falcons, who play in the Aviva Premiership, the highest level of rugby union in England.

Falcons’ Director Duncan Edwards said: “Falcons’ are looking forward to welcoming Gateshead Thunder to our home as preparations are underway for the start of their League campaign.

“It promises to be an entertaining game and we are pleased to be hosting such an event.”