MARK Dunning has praised the character of his Scholarship side as they fought back from a 24-14 deficit with three quick-fire tries in the final 10 minutes to seal their first win of the season.

Early Jayden Wright and Kieran Lupton scores established a 10-0 lead before four Newcastle tries either side of the break saw the lead chance hands.

David Kamano reduced the deficit following a slick passage of play before another Thunder try galvanised the Young Bulls.

Lewis Camden’s try and Kamano’s second score locked the scores up before a last-gasp try from Lewis Adams secured the spoils in stunning fashion.

“I am delighted for the players, it was a see-saw game and we were 10-0 up early on and we looked comfortable,” said Dunning.

“Credit to Newcastle they are a gutsy side, they dug deep and got themselves back into the game.

“I challenged the lads character behind the sticks to find something within themselves to go right the wrongs and they did so very well.

“Our middle unit were fantastic and quite brutal in defence – we just have to smoothen out some of the rough in terms of our skill set.

“They are a fantastic bunch of players, they look after each other and you saw what it meant to them at the end.

“They were on the other side of the coin last time out against Wakefield so it was fantastic for them to experience that – I hope they take great confidence from that.

Next up for Dunning’s Scholarship side is a trip to tackle Warrington Wolves at Victory Park on Wednesday, April 10 (Kick-off 7pm).