Widnes Vikings head coach John Kear says he was pleased with how his players executed their plays in Sunday’s 19-12 victory at York RLFC Knights.
The Vikings were forced to dig deep in order to get their new Betfred Championship season off to a winning start at the LNER Community Stadium.
Second half tries from Shane Grady and Ant Walker added to Ryan Millar’s diving first half finish as the exciting winger crossed on his competitive debut for the club.
“It’s always important to get that first win, so to get it in Round 1 is very satisfying,” Kear said post-match.
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“It was also very satisfying in the manner in which we achieved it too. I think everybody can feel that they’ve really contributed, and we can travel back on the bus and put our feet up for an evening.
“But then after the review tomorrow, we’ve got to turn our attention to another very good team, who we’ll be entertaining at home, in Keighley.”
Kear believes his side were deserved winners, having been forced to show their character after being pegged back twice by their opponents.
“I thought that we were dominant in the first half, and the momentum changer was that scrum play, we overplayed a little bit,” he said.
“There were a couple of instances where we overplayed in the first-half and I think that we let them off the hook. But all credit to York, they really stuck it to us as the first half closed.
“I remarked to the players about how resilient they had been in that period just before half-time, and I think that was the period that won us the game because we really came good in the second half, our completions were really good.
“We turned the ball over on our terms and we defended very tough, so I’m really pleased with what I’ve seen.”
On the injury front, Kear says he expects Will Evans and Danny Craven to be pushing for a return ahead of Sunday’s home game against Keighley Cougars.
One player who won’t be available, however, is Adam Lawton.
The big forward was substituted early in proceedings on Sunday and has been ruled out of the Vikings’ next fixture under concussion protocols.
“I think it was the first carry of the game and Jordan Thompson came in with a very aggressive but legal tackle which rattled Adam a little bit,” Kear stated.
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“When the physio went on, she deemed that it was a head knock and went off for a HIA which failed. So he will be out next week due to the 12-day return to play protocol.
“But it opens up an opportunity for another player, doesn’t it? We’ll have to see what we come up with next week.
“But to play with 16 men, which we did for 76 minutes of the game and to finish stronger, I’m delighted.
“I think it’s a pat on the back as well for the preseason, and for Bob Beswick’s contribution because we do look a very fit, eager, enthusiastic and hard-working team.”
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