Widnes Vikings fell to a 34-20 defeat at the hands of York City Knights, as a Jack Owens landmark afternoon unfortunately ended in a loss.
The Widnes number one notched eight points, moving him to ninth in the club’s all-time point scoring list, with eighth position firmly in his sights.
In the end though, the visitors were left to rue some poor first half defending which kept the hosts in the game before a disappointing second half.
The Vikings opened the scoring through the captain, as a short side play saw Adam Lawton set Jake Spedding free down the right wing.
As he approached the fullback, Joe Lyons juggled his pass before handing possession to Owens who scored under the sticks and converted to make it 800 points for the club, moving to ninth in the all-time point scoring list.
York replied through the returning Brendan O’Hagan, who was allowed to race through a gaping hole from close range.
The Widnes response came in the form of a brilliant try, starting with a Ste Tyrer offload and ending with Deon Cross bursting through the middle and striding away to score from inside his own half.
Cross will want to forget York’s second try in a hurry though, as he spilled possession in his own in-goal which gifted Perry Whiteley a four-pointer.
Widnes rallied to score through Joe Lyons though, as a last tackle kick deflected kindly into the path of Spedding before the Vikings halfback finished the break.
On the stroke of half-time the lead was extended to eight points when Ste Tyrer climbed highest to Danny Craven’s kick and collected possession with one hand before scoring.
York clawed their way in front within the opening six minutes of the second period, as Tyme Dow-Nikau helped himself to a quick-fire brace to put the Knights two points ahead.
That lead was extended through O’Hagan as the home side kept their opponents at arm’s length before a late score from Jack Teanby rounded off their victory.
York City Knights: Matty Marsh, Perry Whiteley, Tyme Dow-Nikau, Corey Hall, Ben Jones-Bishop, Brendan O’Hagan, Corey Johnson, Ronan Dixon, Will Jubb, Jack Teanby, Danny Kirmond, James McDonnell, Chris Clarkson.
Interchanges: Kris Brining, Tim Spears, Jordan Baldwinson, Sam Scott.
Tries: O’Hagan 2, Whiteley, Dow-Nikau 2, Teanby Goals: Marsh 5/6
Widnes Vikings: Jack Owens, Jayden Hatton, Ste Tyrer, Jake Spedding, Deon Cross, Danny Craven, Joe Lyons, Will Tilleke, Lewis Hulme, Kenny Baker, Shane Grady, Adam Lawton, Matty Smith.
Interchanges: Owen Farnworth, Joe Edge, Oliver Brookes, Aiden Roden.
Tries: Owens, Cross, Lyons, Tyrer Goals: Owens 2/4
