Widnes Vikings suffered a second successive home defeat as they were beaten 30-12 by Sheffield Eagles.
The Vikings led 12-10 at half time, but a second half sin-binning for Kenny Baker turned the game in to the visitors favour.
Two Josh Guzdek penalties put the Eagles three scores ahead and despite Olly Davies’ try, Widnes fell short.
Widnes enjoyed the early territory in the game and a break by Matty Fleming took them close to the line, only for a knock on to end the move.
The deadlock was broken on 11 minutes as Danny Craven dummied through and then had enough strength to hold off a tackler and touch it down, with Steve Tyrer converting for 6-0.
But Sheffield got back in to the game against the run of play when Joel Farrell forced a sloppy pass from dummy half and it went to ground, was picked up by Eagles centre Ryan Johnson and he managed to win the race to the line from 30 metres.
They took the lead on 20 minutes when Widnes allowed a high kick to bounce, then knocked on when subsequently trying to gather it and from the field position, Sheffield shifted it right and Ben Jones-Bishop crossed acrobatically in the corner.
Widnes went in to half time 12-10 in front though – off the back of a penalty, they moved the ball from left to right and Jake Spedding crossed for a try, with Tyrer converting.
Sheffield finished the half with 12 men when Kris Welham was sinbinned for a tackle on Joe Edge.
Just as Sheffield were set to return to full strength, Widnes had a man of their own yellow carded as Kenny Baker was sinbinned for a high shot on Guzdek after the full back claimed Craven’s high kick.
Sheffield managed to make the most of their numerical advantage, and moments later, Liam Kirk crashed over off Anthony Thackeray’s short pass to put them in front.
Another front-rower, Brandon Douglas went over from close range on the hour mark and Sheffield had opened up a 22-12 lead.
They were afforded the chance to extend that lead on 63 minutes when Tom Holmes was caught high as he broke through, though Guzdek’s effort from virtually half way was wide.
From the drop out though, he got another chance, Widnes penalised for offside and this time from 20 metres closer in, he made no mistake.
Then with just over 10 minutes left, Ryan Ince was penalised in possession of the ball as marker Farrell hit the deck, and Guzdek made it a 14 point deficit.
Craven’s quick thinking off a penalty tap got Widnes close and they managed to get on the board for the second half as Davies ran a line on to Joe Lyons’ short pass.
But Sheffield had the final say. Widnes, desperately trying to keep the ball alive and find a break, coughed up possession enabling Matty Chimes to go 30 metres down the left touchline and find Tom Holmes on his inside to seal the win.
Widnes are next in action on Sunday August 28 away at Leigh Centurions.
Widnes Vikings: Matt Fleming, Ryan Ince, Jack Spedding, Ste Tyrer, Joe Edge, Danny Craven, Matty Smith, Callum Field, Matty Fozard, Owen Farnworth, Sam Wilde, Olly Davies, Liam Bent.
Interchanges: Joe Lyons, Will Tilleke, Kenny Baker, Eribe Doro.
Tries: Danny Craven, Jake Spedding. Goals: Steve Tyrer 2/2
Sheffield Eagles: Josh Guzdek, Ben Jones-Bishop, Kris Welham, Ryan Johnson, Matty Chimes, Tom Holmes, Anthony Thackeray, Brandon Douglas, Vila Halafihi, Tyler Dickinson, Connor Bower, Joel Farrell, Michael Wood.
Interchanges: Blake Broadbent, Liam Kirk, Uili Liu, Ross Oakes.
Tries: Ryan Johnson, Ben Jones-Bishop, Liam Kirk, Brandon Douglas, Tom Holmes. Goals: Josh Guzdek 5/7
