Widnes Vikings were defeated by four points at home to Featherstone Rovers in a tense affair at the DCBL Stadium, despite a steely effort from the home side.
After Joe Edge edged Widnes ahead with two minutes on the clock with a penalty goal in a central position from ten out, Ryan Ince scored out wide to take the Vikings’ lead to six with eight minutes gone.
Featherstone pulled level 20 minutes into the contest, Josh Hardcastle driving through the middle to put down before Craig Hall’s conversion made it six apiece.
After some solid defence including a try-saving tackle from Eribe Doro as Fev looked to go the length, Jake Spedding cut through the Featherstone line on his return to the starting 13 to put Widnes a score ahead on the half-hour mark.
A gritty and determined first-half performance from the Vikings saw them take their six-point lead into the break.
Despite some more steely goal-line defence from Widnes at the start of the second period, Rovers pulled one back when Connor Jones latched onto a kick to put down. Hall missed the kick as the Vikings kept their two-point lead.
Fev had a two-point lead of their own shortly before the hour mark, however, after Johnathon Ford broke through to hand the visitors the advantage.
The Vikings snatched that two-point lead back when Jake Spedding intercepted and went the full length to put down for his second try of the game in spectacular fashion.
In yet another twist to the tale, Featherstone regained the lead through Josh Hardcastle with seven minutes remaining. Hall converted to hand Rovers a four-point lead.
Rovers defended that lead in the closing moments, as the visitors took the points despite a valiant effort from the Vikings.
Widnes Vikings: Matt Fleming, Ryan Ince, Jake Spedding, Lewis Roberts, Joe Edge, Joe Lyons, Matty Smith, Owen Farnworth, Matty Fozard, Josh Johnson, Sam Wilde, Olly Davies, Liam Bent.
Interchanges: Lewis Hulme, Brad Holroyd, Eribe Doro, Will Tilleke.
Tries: Ryan Ince, Jake Spedding (2).
Goals: Joe Edge (1/3).
Penalty goal: Joe Edge.
Featherstone Rovers: Craig Hall, Gareth Gale, Josh Hardcastle, Jack Broadbent, Tom Lineham, Morgan Smith, Johnathon Ford, Gadwin Springer, Connor Jones, Junior Moors, Ben Hellewell, Brett Ferres, Tyla Hepi.
Interchanges: Matty Wildie, Sam Eseh, Dan Fleming, John Davies.
Tries: Josh Hardcastle (2), Connor Jones, Johnathon Ford.
Goals: Craig Hall (2/4).
Attendance: 2,944.
