Initial impressions that Rugby League's made a huge impact on Tyneside were blunted somewhat when we found out that the packed car park at the ridiculously titled Thunderdome was the result of a computer fair.
Still, having settled in for the expected rout, the travelling Hornets contingent were stunned into silence after only two minutes as Gateshead took a deserved lead, with Grundy crashing in from close range following a huge 40-20 from Southernwood. Briggs slotted the conversion and at 6-0 Hornets looked as if the overnight stay in the North East had worked against them.
Five minutes later, a powerful burst by James 'the onion' Bunyan through the left centre channel saw him leave winger, centre and full back for dead to steam in from 40 metres.
Woody - who had an... er... ordinary afternoon by his standards - missed the conversion.
But this Gateshead side don't give in. Having forced a Hornets error and regained posession, they worked neat field position for Briggs to knock over a drop goal to take Thunder 7-4 ahead. Prematurely, Gateshead supporters took this as a sign that victory was iminent, but were silenced as Hornets took three tries in an eight minute period. First Latham Tawhai ghosting through on the end of some neat approach play from Scully and Woody, then Bunyan backing up a break from Owen, followed to the line by Robinson from a neat inside pass from Dave 'Skoda' Larder - the latter soaked in controversy following an admittedly dubious refereeing decision after Owen had appeared to spill a long and unpressured downfield kick. Still, you play with what you get and, one day, the Gateshead fans will understand this.
Almost on half time, try-machine Marlon Billy blasted through the Thunder winger from 30 metres and at 24-7, Gateshead's drop goal looked a bit sad.
Gateshead came out for the second half with pop guns blazing. Determined to break us down in the middle, their large pack strove to make inroads, but their inability to hang onto the ball cost them dearly. First Owen cruised through a huge hole to touch down by the posts, followed by Billy three minutes later who backed his balance and pace to skip along the touchline leaving Thunder threequarters in his wake to score a superb 40 metre effort. But to their credit, Gateshead didn't cave in. Steady progression upfield saw Carlton and Johnson exchange passes to send Paul Thorman in at the corner. Try given despite the fact that he appeared to drop the ball in the grounding. See, you play with what you get.
Hornets closed the scoring with ten minutes remaining, Big Bren O'Meara showing pace and determination to power in for a well deserved try. This guy gets through so much work on attack and defence - he's a real unassuming star.
Anyway, that was pretty much it. Hornets, whilst having a pretty low key afternoon, take two points; Gateshead still go in search of a first win that can't be long in coming and we get to tick off a new team and a new ground.
Martin Hall won't be pleased with this performance. It lacked urgency, cohesion and concentration. Cruising in neutral against weaker opposition is ill preparation for the sterner tests that lie ahead. Let's hope we regain a bit of focus for the visit of York.