REPORT: BARROW RAIDERS 24-26 WIDNES VIKINGS

The Vikings secured a playoff spot with a 26-24 win over Barrow Raiders in the final game of the regular season at the Northern Competitions Stadium.

Allan Coleman’s side came from behind to pick up a vital two points and solidify a playoff position for the first time since the club’s return to the Championship.

The hosts added an early penalty goal through Ryan Shaw to take a 2-0 lead before Luke Cresswell took an inside pass to race in under the posts and extend the advantage to eight.

After falling behind early the Vikings wrestled their way back into the game, eventually hitting back through Jack Owens as he took a short pass from Matty Fozard to cut the deficit to four.

It didn’t take long for the next score as on the following possession Rhodri Lloyd steamed onto a short pass from Joe Lyons to take the lead. In the act of scoring Lloyd was tripped by Tom Walker, who was sent to the bin.

Playing against 12-men, the Vikings had two chances to pull further ahead but couldn’t find the killer pass.

Tom Gilmore gathered his own kick but his pass to Matty Fozard was behind him with the line begging. On the following possession, Ryan Ince broke down the left side, kicking back inside for Fozard but his pass to Owens went to ground.

With time expiring in the first half, the Vikings finally made the breakthrough their pressure deserved as Ryan Lannon powered his way over from close range after Fozard went down the short side on the last to give the Vikings a 16-8 lead at the interval.

Early in the second half, Lloyd was caught high and Gilmore added a penalty goal to extend the lead to 10 points.

Against the run of play, Barrow hit back from deep as Max Clarke broke down the left edge to score near the posts and cut the deficit.

Both sides then traded scores as Jack Owens powered over for a second after taking Matt Fleming’s offload near the Barrow line, before an improvised crossfield kick from Andrew Bulman was pounced on by Ryan Shaw for the Raiders.

The hosts looked to move it deep again on their first set after points but a great defensive effort from Mike Butt forced the knock on from Clarke. And it was Butt who crossed for the crucial try as he beat Shaw to score in the corner following a fantastic long pass from Lyons to extend the lead to eight once more.

Barrow hit back late on through Luke Broadbent to set up a tense finish but the Vikings held on to secure a 26-24 victory and a pivotal Playoff spot.

The Vikings will take on York Knights at the LNER Community Stadium in the Eliminator Playoff next Saturday at 3pm.

COACHES COMMENTS

Head Coach Allan Coleman said: “I’m really proud. It’s been a bit of an up-and-down season but we’ve been very much improved.

“We’ve worked really hard at changing people’s thought processes and building a really good culture. We’ve shown all year that nobody beats us easily.

“We didn’t panic. We stuck in there and found a way to get through the tough period at the start of the game, and then for the final 30 minutes of that first half, I thought we were outstanding.”