A much-improved second half display wasn’t enough for Widnes Vikings as they were beaten 26-18 at Barrow Raiders in Round 15 of the Betfred Championship.
Trailing 18-0 at half-time, the Vikings came out roaring in the second 40 and scored quickfire back-to-back tries to make it 18-12.
Aaron Brown touched down shortly after Ryan Shaw had extended the Raiders’ lead from the kicking tee to make it a two-point ball game at 20-18, but John Kear’s side couldn’t come up with any more points for their efforts in the final quarter.
There was still time in the dying seconds for Shane Toal to race away and add further gloss to the scoreline from a home perspective, with the Raiders picking up the win by an eight-point margin.
Team news
John Kear welcomed full-back and captain Jack Owens back into the side as he celebrated his 150th club appearance, following an injury which saw him miss last weekend’s defeat at Whitehaven.
Owens’ return saw Kieran Dixon revert back to his usual position on the wing, with Max Roberts dropping to the bench and Ant Walker named as 18th man in place of Brad Holroyd.
Story of the game
The opening try of the afternoon went the way of the home side. It came as the Raiders changed the point of attack, with front-rower Anton Iaria collecting possession and powering over from close range.
After a scoreless next 20 minutes, the Raiders forayed into Vikings territory and scored their second of the day as Jarrod Sammut’s intelligent kick was touched down by Charlie Emslie.
Soon after, Iaria bulldozed over for his second try, with Ryan Shaw extending his perfect record with the boot to make it 18-0 at the half-time break.
The Vikings came out with a point to prove in the second half, and with less than four minutes played, Sam Wilde reduced the deficit with his fourth try in three matches.
Virtually straight from kick-off, a long-range move from inside the Vikings half culminated in a converted Joe Lyons try making it 18-12.
A penalty goal from Shaw saw the home side extend their lead to beyond a converted try, but less than five minutes later, Aaron Brown crossed from close range.
The final 20 minutes were a nervy affair, but the game was settled in the dying seconds as a loose ball was pounced upon by Shane Toal, who stretched his legs and broke free from halfway to score.
Next game
Sunday 25 June – Swinton Lions (H) – 3:00pm
Teams and scorers
Barrow Raiders: Luke Broadbent, Ryan Shaw, Keanan Brand, Shane Toal, Andrew Bulman, Jarrod Sammut, Ryan Johnston, Ellis Gillam, Josh Wood, Ben Evans, Danny Langtree, Jarrad Stack, Anton Iaria.
Interchanges: Nathan Mossop, Charlie Emslie, Sam Brooks, Greg Burke (18th man: Connor Saunders).
Tries: Iaria 2, Emslie, Toal
Goals: Shaw 5
Widnes Vikings: Jack Owens, Ryan Ince, Zach Eckersley, Joe Edge, Kieran Dixon, Joe Lyons, Tom Gilmore, Owen Farnworth, Matty Fozard, Adam Lawton, Sam Wilde, Shane Grady, Jordan Johnstone.
Interchanges: Aaron Brown, Max Roberts, Lewis Hatton, Olly Davies (18th man: Ant Walker).
Tries: Wilde, Lyons, Brown
Goals: Gilmore 3
Man of the Match
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