It was a dream homecoming for Geordie Sam Luckley as he marked a try with a nod to his Magpies hero after scoring at the Gallowgate end.
Although the Salford Red Devils ended up losing the match, it was a day to remember for Rugby League star Sam Luckley who celebrated a try with the customary Alan Shearer celebration that so many at the Gallowgate End will have come accustomed to seeing down the years.
Luckley grew up idolising the Toon Army in North Shields and was taking part in the Rugby League Magic Weekend in a match against Huddersfield Giants.
Read more: Fun in the sun at the Magic Weekend Fanzone outside St James' Park, Newcastle
He evaded two opposition players to go under the posts as the Red Devils looked to claw their way back into the game after a disappointing first half at St James' Park.
Unfortunately, despite a spirited comeback, the efforts of Sam and his teammates was not quite enough to stop their side falling to a 30-18 defeat.
Sam's homecoming try represents the achievement of a boyhood dream after the 26 year old came through the ranks playing for local amateur side Wallsend Eagles, before brief spells at both Hull KR and Huddersfield Giants academies.
After that, he returned to Tyneside to play for Newcastle Thunder, where he completed his undergraduate and master’s degree at Northumbria University, all whilst playing Rugby League. After a move to Ottawa fell through due to Covid-19, he was signed by Salford.
The Magic Weekend returned to Newcastle this weekend after a two year absence, seeing a whole round of Super League matches played over one weekend.
The first Magic Weekend was held in 2007 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, and has taken place at a number of venues since including Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Manchester City's Etihad stadium and Anfield in Liverpool.
A number of mouth-watering clashes have taken place this weekend with various matches between Northern rivals. They include a Hull derby, St Helen's taking on North West rivals Wigan Warriors and a clash of Yorkshire giants, in which Leeds Rhinos face Castleford Tigers.
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