The Vikings picked up their fifth consecutive league win this afternoon, edging a thrilling contest against Hunslet 32-26 at the DCBL Stadium.
Allan Coleman’s side survived a late scare from the visitors to hang on for a crucial two points and maintain their place in the top two of the Betfred Championship.
It was the visitors who struck first, as Leeds Rhinos loanee Ben Littlewood took a pass to stride in and open the scoring. The lead was short-lived, however, as Jordan Johnstone responded for Widnes, finishing off a perfectly timed short ball from Matty Fozard.
The Vikings extended their advantage in the very next set when Mike Butt burst down the left edge before finding Max Roberts in support to cross.
Hunslet hit back with a sucker punch from a Widnes scrum. A loose pass from Jordan Abdull was scooped up by the visitors and eventually worked out to Charlie Graham, who raced the length of the field to score.
In a back-and-forth first half, Ryan Ince restored a six-point lead for the Vikings with a finish in the corner, but Hunslet responded once more as Harvey Hallas crossed to level the scores.
Just as it looked like the sides would head into the break locked together, Jumah Sambou showed great strength to power through a tackle attempt and flick an offload to the impressive Nathan Connell, who went over to give his side the lead at half-time.
The visitors started the second half brightly and regained the lead when Myles Harrop climbed highest to collect a Lee Gaskell kick.
Widnes responded once again, with Connell showing superb footwork to dance his way through the Hunslet defence for his second try of the afternoon.
Connell continued to torment the Hunslet backline shortly after, breaking clear before sending Roberts over for his second of the game.
A late try from Butt appeared to have wrapped things up, but Graham grabbed his second soon after to set up a tense finale.
Widnes held firm in the closing stages, however, to seal a thrilling 32–26 victory and extend their winning run to five matches.
We turn our attention to a huge clash with Doncaster in a fortnight at the Eco-Power Stadium. Tickets are available HERE.
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Widnes Vikings: Connell, Ince, Fleming, Sambou, Butt, Abdull, Gilmore, Murray, Fozard, Chapelhow, Roberts, Langtree, Johnstone
Interchanges: Owens, Hall, Lawton, Bibby, Houghton (18th)
Tries: Connell x2, Roberts x2, Johnstone, Ince, Butt
Goals: Abdull, Gilmore
Hunslet: Jowitt, Faraimo, Harrop, Graham, Turner, Gaskell, Abram, Laidlaw, Berry, Battye, Gilmore, Littlewood, Cassell
Interchanges: Hallas, Whittel, Corbett, Nicholson-Watton, Carr (18th)
Tries: Graham x2, Littlewood, Hallas, Harrop
Goals: Jowitt x3
ATTENDANCE:
