REPORT: WIDNES VIKINGS 18-20 WAKEFIELD TRINITY

The Vikings fell to their first home defeat of the season this afternoon despite a gutsy performance against Wakefield Trinity.

Allan Coleman’s side rallied late on but it wasn’t enough to dent the unbeaten record of the league leaders.

The Vikings struck first through Joe Lyons, who dummied his way through to score under the posts from the scrum. A try that took him to 100 points for Widnes.

The visitors hit back through Derrell Olpherts as he crossed in the corner but a missed conversion gave the Vikings a 6-4 lead at the break.

Trinity showed their class at the start of the second half scoring three tries in 10 minutes.

Renouf Atoni crashed over from short range to give Wakefield their first lead of the game before Oliver Pratt and Lachlan Walmsley crossed out wide to extend the advantage to 14 points.

The Vikings would not go away quietly however, hitting back through Sam Wilde as he steamed onto a short pass from Joe Lyons to get over and cut the deficit to eight.

A late try for Rhodri Lloyd after a Gilmore kick gave hope to the Widnes faithful, but it proved to be too late in the day for the Vikings to mount another improbable comeback as they went down 20-18.

We turn our attention to another big clash next Sunday as we travel to face Sheffield Eagles at the Olympic Legacy Park, tickets available HERE

COACHES COMMENTS

Head Coach Allan Coleman said: “I’m proud of the boys. First half I thought we were really good, we stuck to our game plan, and it really frustrated Wakefield.

“We just switched off in the first ten minutes of that second half and against a team like Wakefield and they were clinical in taking the opportunities.

“I just think we showed lots of determination and quality. So as much as I’m gutted we lost, I’m really proud of the response in that game.”