Widnes put in a commanding, defiant performance to beat Newcastle Thunder in Round 19 of the Betfred Championship and make it four wins from four.
In four changes from last week’s squad which beat Dewsbury, Lewis Hulme came in for the suspended Matty Fozard, while Shane Grady and Callum Field were replaced by Will Tilleke and the returning Ste Tyrer. Jack Owens failed a late fitness test, so Matt Fleming started at full-back.
Adam Lawton gave Widnes an early lead after powering through the middle.
It wasn’t long before the Vikings had their second of the game, Olly Davies finding space to drive over the line to take Widnes twelve points ahead.
Sam Halsall latched onto a deflected kick from Matt Fleming to get one back for Thunder 18 minutes into the contest, running 70 metres to put down and take Newcastle back within a score.
The visitors pulled level just three minutes later, winger Jack Johnson taking advantage of a six-again call on the Widnes line after Newcastle played it out to the left.
However, Matt Fleming had the Vikings ahead again shortly before the break, with Ste Tyrer adding a penalty goal a few minutes before the hooter to help Widnes take an eight-point lead into half time.
The Vikings were quick out of the blocks in the second half as well, working it out right to Ste Tyrer who came up with a fantastic offload out the back to play Ryan Ince into the corner.
After a couple of extended breaks in play due to injuries to Newcastle players, Thunder took advantage of the pause in Widnes’ momentum when Sam Halsall crossed in the corner for his second of the day.
It took some stubborn goal-line defence from Widnes to keep Thunder out in the ensuing moments of the game, and Adam Lawton was shown a red card for direct contact with the head of a Newcastle player who appeared to be slipping to the floor at the time.
Newcastle took advantage of the resulting set on the Widnes line, sending Brad Day crashing over.
Thunder pulled level a couple of minutes after that try with another from Gideon Boafo this time after a kick on the last.
Matt Fleming dropped a goal with three minutes to spare in a dramatic climax to the game.
Fleming added another try in the closing seconds to cap off a fantastic performance from the Vikings, who refused to be beaten.
Widnes Vikings: Matt Fleming, Ryan Ince, Ste Tyrer, Luis Roberts, Kieran Dixon, Danny Craven, Matty Smith, Adam Lawton, Lewis Hulme, Owen Farnworth, Olly Davies, Sam Wilde, Liam Bent.
Interchanges: Joe Lyons, Joe Edge, Will Tilleke, Kenny Baker.
Tries: Adam Lawton, Olly Davies, Matt Fleming (2), Ryan Ince.
Goals: Ste Tyrer (5/5).
Penalty goal: Ste Tyrer.
Drop goal: Matt Fleming.
Newcastle Thunder: Umyla Hanley, Gideon Boafo, Isaac Nokes, Sam Halsall, Jack Johnson, Craig Mullen, Josh Woods, Ed Chapelhow, Josh Eaves, Jay Chapelhow, Alex Foster, Brad Day, Oliver Roberts.
Interchanges: Tom Forber, Brad Gallagher, Mitch Clark, Ukuma Taai.
Tries: Sam Halsall (2), Jack Johnson, Brad Day, Gideon Boafo.
Goals: Craig Mullen (3/5).
Attendance: 2,382.
