
League and Union double header next time out
Match day at Kingston Park Stadium will be a double header affair on September 18th, with both rugby union and rugby league action taking place on the main pitch over the course of the afternoon.
Starting with the round three Aviva Premiership Rugby fixture against Leicester Tigers at 3pm, Newcastle Thunder will then take on North Wales Crusaders at 5:15pm in the Kingstone Press League 1 Shield final.
Thunder go into their first final since 2008 on the back of a nine game unbeaten run and winning 13 out of 20 regular season fixtures in head coach Mick Mantelli’s first season in charge.
With a host of talented North East players in the ranks, supplemented by high quality players from the rest of the UK and overseas, Thunder have been playing an attractive, attacking brand of rugby adding another high quality game for ticket holders to enjoy.
Season and match day tickets for the game against Tigers will also grant entry into the Shield Final, with supporters able to sit in the West or East stands, or stand pitch-side along the East touchline advertising boards.
Stands will be operated on an unreserved basis with supporters welcome to choose their seat on a first come first served basis.
Following a good opening day crowd of 5,523 the club hopes supporters of both clubs will join together for both games and support the regions premier teams in both codes.
Newcastle Rugby Ltd managing director Mick Hogan said: “The club was pleased to welcome over five and a half thousand fans to our opening game against Sale which was around 10% up on our season opener in 2015. We’re now looking forward to making the 18th September a big rugby showcase with both of the club’s teams playing.
“Falcons v Tigers is the sort of game the Aviva Premiership is all about, while Thunder have responded brilliantly to just missing out on the promotion push in League 1 by securing a home final with six consecutive wins in the qualifying stage of the Shield competition.
“We hope both matches will benefit from the fantastic support the Kingston Park crowd provides and that we can show how strong rugby union and league are in the North East.”
Tickets for both games are on sale and available to [**buy online**][1], by calling 0871 2266060 or by visiting the stadium box office.
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/details/event.aspx?itemref=2942