The Vikings fell to a 36-20 defeat to Bradford Bulls at Bartercard Odsal Stadium this afternoon.
Allan Coleman’s side led at the break but could not hold off the Bulls, who came from behind to take the points.
Bradford made the early running, racing into a 12-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes with tries from Logan Bayliss and Joe Keyes.
The Vikings responded through the impressive Jake Maizen, who marked his debut with a try, picking Luke Hooley’s pocket to score under the posts.
Maizen was involved again shortly after, providing a perfectly timed pass for Jack Owens to dive over and level the scores.
The hosts edged ahead once more through Guy Armitage, who finished smartly in the corner, but Widnes responded again as Matty Fozard burrowed his way over from close range to score a textbook hooker’s try.
A late penalty for offside allowed Tom Gilmore to nudge the Vikings into a 20-18 lead at the break.
Danny Langtree came close to extending the advantage early in the second half, only to be held up inches short by some excellent scrambling defence.
The game’s momentum shifted on the hour mark when Mitch Souter chased down his own kick to score a key try under the posts for the Bulls.
Bradford crossed for two tries in the final stages to add some gloss to the scoreline, Sam Hallas and Matty Gee scoring to secure a 36-20 win.
We turn our attention to a clash with London Broncos at the Cherry Red Records Stadium next Saturday. Tickets are available HERE.
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Bradford Bulls: Hooley, Okunbor, Blake, Gill, Armitage, Lilley, Keyes, Lawrence, Souter, Bayliss, Fulton, Gee, Hallas
Interchanges: Mason, Scurr, Michael, Donaldson, Liu (18th)
Tries: Bayliss, Keyes, Armitage, Souter, Hallas, Gee
Goals: Lilley x6
Widnes Vikings: Maizen, Towse, Owens, Edge, Williams, Lyons, Gilmore, Murray, Johnstone, Kirk, Lloyd, Langtree, Gregson
Interchanges: Reilly, McWhirter, Fozard, Bennion, Roberts (18th)
Tries: Maizen, Owens, Fozard
Goals: Gilmore x4
