Match Report: Widnes Vikings 62-4 Oldham

Widnes Vikings reacted excellently from last week’s performance to defeat Oldham 62-4 in Round 20 of the Betfred Championship.

The Vikings welcomed Ste Tyrer, Lewis Hulme, Shane Grady and Matty Smith back to the match day squad while Jake Spedding, Owen Buckley and Aiden Roden all dropped out.

Widnes scored with the first set of the game as Adam Lawton got over the line after catching a kick on the last from Matty Smith.

Ollie Brookes added another with just four minutes on the clock after Jack Owens broke upfield by skipping past a couple of Oldham men.

Shane Grady got over for the third after Oldham had been stopped in their tracks trying to run it on the last by a big Ollie Brookes tackle, leading to the Vikings getting straight up the field.

Deon Cross scored the fourth try of the game after Oldham had fumbled a kick into touch from Danny Craven.

Brookes got his second of the afternoon to add to a fine performance out on the wing with half an hour on the clock, before Oldham pulled one back through Ben Holcroft.

Adam Lawton bagged his own brace on the hooter after another break upfield from the Vikings, to see them go in 32-4 up at the break.

Salford loanee Connor Aspey got in on the act eight minutes into the second period after another big break from Jack Owens saw the hooker go under the sticks after the  captain’s short pass. 

Widnes further extended their lead when Kenny Baker was sent under the sticks by a low kick from Danny Craven following an Adam Lawton offload in a great move from the Vikings.

Craven added one himself on 68 minutes after making the most of a penalty given away by Oldham on their 40.

Deon Cross made the most of a Widnes intercept to break from the Oldham 40, patting off his man on the way to scoring his second of the afternoon.

Just as they scored on the hooter in the first half, Widnes did it again in the second period as Ste Tyrer got over to end the contest at 62-4, capping off a fine afternoon for the Vikings.

Widnes Vikings: Jack Owens, Deon Cross, Lloyd Roby, Ste Tyrer, Ollie Brookes, Danny Craven, Joe Lyons, Kenny Baker, Lewis Hulme, Owen Farnworth, Shane Grady, Adam Lawton, Matty Smith.

Interchanges: Will Tilleke, Paul Clough, Connor Aspey, Joe Edge.

Tries: Adam Lawton (2), Ollie Brookes (2), Shane Grady, Deon Cross (2), Connor Aspey, Kenny Baker, Danny Craven, Ste Tyrer. Goals: Jack Owens (9/11).

Oldham: Dan Abram, Tom Brierley, Joe Hartley, Ryan Ince, Ben Holcroft, Harvey Spence, David Hewitt, Luke Nelmes, Gareth Owen, Philip Joy, Danny Langtree, Max Roberts, Martyn Reilly. 

Interchanges: Declan Gregory, Lewis Charnock, Daniel Bridge, Liam Bent.

Tries: Ben Holcroft.