Recap

The Vikings were defeated by a strong Featherstone side in the semi-final of the 1895 Cup on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts forged ahead five minutes into the contest, Brad Day driving over the line on the left-hand side before Craig Hall converted to extend their early lead.

Day crossed the line again a couple of minutes later on the left once again after finding a hole in the Widnes line, but Hall’s conversion hit the upright.

Widnes were penalised for knocking the ball down inside their own ten shortly after, and Craig Kopczak piled further misery on the Vikings with another try before Hall converted again.

The Vikings got up the field with a set of their own before Josh Hardcastle intercepted and looked to race clear of the Widnes back line, but Jake Spedding got back to make a try-saving tackle.

Widnes looked to have pulled one back with 24 minutes on the clock as Hatton crossed the line on the left following a Spedding break, but the referee adjudged the ball to have gone forward.

The Vikings continued to battle though and found a way through a tough Featherstone defence through Ste Tyrer as the game reached the half-hour mark, and the centre duly converted.

Their fighting spirit continued to shine through, and Adam Lawton found his way through for the try following a solid defensive set from Simon Finnigan’s men. Tyrer converted again to reduce the deficit to just four.

Featherstone stretched their lead with half-time approaching however, Frankie Halton crossing on the right-hand side after Nu Brown broke through the Widnes line. Hall converted to provide the hosts with a ten-point lead going into the break.

Widnes defended well early in the second half and caught the hosts out in an attacking set almost an hour into the contest, Lawton crossing from close range after a scoot from dummy-half by Brad O’Neill. Tyrer converted to reduce the deficit to four once again.

Featherstone won a penalty for a shoulder charge off the ball 20 from the line just after Lawton’s try, and Hall scored to add another two points to his side’s lead.

The Vikings continued to soak up home pressure for the majority of the second half, performing admirably in defensive sets, but not quite finding a way through the hosts’ line when attacking.

Featherstone saw out the result to book their place at Wembley as the game finished 24-18.

Featherstone Rovers: Craig Hall, Gareth Gale, Frankie Halton, Thomas Minns, Josh Hardcastle, Nu Brown, Tom Holmes, Craig Kopczak, Connor Jones, James Lockwood, Junior Moors, Brad Day, Loui McConnell.

Interchanges: Dean Parata, John Davies, Luke Cooper, Callum Field.

Tries: Day (2), Kopczak, Halton Goals: Hall (4/5)

Widnes Vikings: Jack Owens, Jayden Hatton, Ste Tyrer, Jake Spedding, Deon Cross, Danny Craven, Joe Lyons, Kenny Baker, Brad O’Neill, Matt Cook, Shane Grady, Adam Lawton, Matty Smith.

Interchanges: Paul Clough, Owen Farnworth, Lewis Else, Will Tilleke.

Tries: Tyrer, Lawton (2) Goals: Tyrer (3/3)