Ahead of this Sunday’s trip to York, let’s take a closer look at our opponents…
This Sunday will see the Vikings head to the LNER Community Stadium to compete against the York City Knights in the Betfred Championship Round 6.
We will be looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing performance at home against Barrow Raiders, suffering our first defeat of the Championship campaign. After a weekend off we will be heading into the game fresh and eager to get back on the horse, bringing two points back to the DCBL Stadium.
York have three wins from their opening five games, with victories over Dewsbury Rams, Batley Bulldogs and London Broncos respectively. Their two losses came against two of the promotion favourites in Featherstone Rovers and Leigh Centurions.
The past weekend saw the Knights knocked out of the Challenge Cup by fellow Championship side Whitehaven at the Recreation Ground. After being 28-0 down at half time, the Knights made the scoreboard more respectable with the game finishing 38-12 in favour of the Cumbrians. The result will have disappointed the York players and James Ford will have his squad ready to try and get back to winning ways come Sunday afternoon in what will be a stern test for the Vikings.
Last season saw York win both fixtures against us, with the first of those being at the DCBL Stadium, the Knights running out 35-14 victors. The return fixture was more of the same after the Vikings took an early lead through a Jack Owens try, but a depleted Widnes side ran out of steam in the second half with York posting plenty of points to come away with a 34-20 win. We will be looking to rectify those results come Sunday afternoon.
ONES TO WATCH
Matty Marsh
Primarily a fullback for the Knights, he has also played in the halves and had a spell at hooker in previous games. Marsh reads the game very well and is positionally very strong. His running lines out the back of attacking plays and ability to manipulate opposition defenders to make decisions is a big plus for York, resulting in him scoring plenty of points and assisting his teammates.
Will Jubb
Jubb is a product of the Hull Kingston Rovers academy system and has been at York for several years after initially joining on loan from his parent club. He has been a durable hooker who barely misses a game. A solid defender who will test the defence close to the line with his runs from hooker. The Vikings pack will have to be watertight to stop him and run with intent to take some energy out of him.
VIKINGS CONNECTION
Chris Clarkson
Back-rower Clarkson spent the 2015 season on loan at Widnes from parent club Leeds Rhinos before making the move to Hull Kingston Rovers the following season. He represented the Vikings on 25 occasions, scoring four tries. After spells at Leeds, Hull KR and Castleford Tigers, Chris joined the Knights ahead of the 2020 season. The 31-year-old was made club captain ahead of the 2022 campaign.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
York 34, Widnes 20 (Betfred Championship R16, 8/8/21)
Widnes 14, York 35 (Betfred Championship R6, 16/5/21)
Widnes 12, York 16 (Betfred Championship R15, 26/5/19)
York 17, Widnes 10 (Betfred Championship R11, 22/4/19)
Widnes 44, York 12 (CCR5, 13/4/19)
York 18, Widnes 22 (Betfred Championship ChR13, 12/6/11)
Widnes 76, York 12 (Championship R4, 3/4/11)
Widnes 44, York 18 (NRCQF, 6/6/09)
York 18, Widnes 40 (NL1R6, 4/6/06)
Widnes 25, York 18 (NL1R1, 9/4/06)
TICKET INFO
Vikings fans can buy tickets from our Club Shop at Widnes Market on Saturday 19th March, open 10am-3pm, with part of the proceeds of these tickets going towards our club.
For fans who can’t make it to the Market, tickets are available online.
