Widnes Vikings suffered a disappointing 11-4 defeat at Batley Bulldogs in Round 10 of the Betfred Championship.
In difficult conditions at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, it took until the final 10 minutes for the Vikings to post their first points through Zach Eckersley.
That made the score 10-4, and set up the potential of a grandstand finish, but the Bulldogs moved two scores clear as Josh Woods sank a late drop-goal.
It was a bruising game at times, and the Vikings must regroup quickly as league leaders Featherstone Rovers prepare to visit the DCBL Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Team news
Head coach John Kear handed a debut to on-loan Leigh Leopards forward Jacob Jones, in one of two changes from the Vikings’ 23-14 victory over Barrow Raiders before the mid-season international break.
Kyle Amor also returned to the mix, with Joe Lyons and Olly Davies dropping out of the squad.
Meanwhile, Max Roberts was named as 18th man on his return from a long-term injury absence.
Story of the game
Attacking up the famous Batley hill, the Vikings were dealt a blow in the early minutes when Danny Craven left the field with a suspected calf injury.
That meant a switch to the halves for Matty Fozard, with Jordan Johnstone shifting from loose forward to hooker.
It was John Kear’s side who started the brighter of the two teams, and they thought they’d posted first points in the left corner through Kieran Dixon, but Jack Owens’ cut-out pass over the top was a yard or two forward and the try was chalked off.
On 14 minutes, the Bulldogs hit the front when Lucas Walshaw was in the right place to support Dale Morton on the inside and dive over after his winger had broken free down the right touchline.
That lead was extended shortly after the midway point of the half when Luke Hooley kicked a penalty goal from straight in front of the sticks, making it 8-0.
The Vikings almost responded before half-time when Zach Eckersley and Ryan Ince combined beautifully down the right flank, but the pass back inside from winger to centre was ruled forward.
The second half was a cagey affair to start, and it took a high tackle to give the Bulldogs the platform to add two more points from the kicking tee, courtesy of Hooley.
The scoreline read 10-0 at that stage, but the Vikings threatened a fightback with six minutes to play.
Matty Fozard made an excellent scampering break down the middle, before waiting for support to arrive and sending centre Zach Eckersley racing away to dive over 10m in from the right touchline.
A missed conversion from Jack Owens meant the Bulldogs led by six, and a late Josh Woods drop-goal from in front of the posts saw the home side over the line.
Next game
Sunday 14 May – Featherstone Rovers (H) – 3:00pm
Teams and scorers
Batley Bulldogs: Luke Hooley, Dale Morton, Josh Hodson, Elliot Kear, Aidan McGowan, Ben White, Josh Woods, Adam Gledhill, Ben Kaye, Tom Lillycrop, Kieran Buchanan, Lucas Walshaw, Martyn Reilly.
Interchanges: Oliver Burton, Keegan Hirst, Nyle Flynn, Michael Ward (18th man: George Senior).
Tries: Walshaw
Goals: Hooley 3
Drop-goals: Woods
Widnes Vikings: Matt Fleming, Ryan Ince, Joe Edge, Zach Eckersley, Kieran Dixon, Danny Craven, Jack Owens, Owen Farnworth, Matty Fozard, Callum Field, Sam Wilde, Adam Lawton, Jordan Johnstone.
Interchanges: Kyle Amor, Ant Walker, Lewis Hatton, Jacob Jones (18th man: Max Roberts).
Tries: Eckersley
Goals:
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