Widnes Vikings were beaten 34-16 by Newcastle Thunder in the Betfred Championship Playoff Qualifying Final at Blaydon RUFC.
It was the hosts who struck first when Ryan Jackson crashed over from close range after just seven minutes.
Newcastle doubled their advantage eight minutes later, when Jordan Lipp intercepted a pass from Tom Gilmore and raced the full length of the field to score.
Allan Coleman’s side found a way back into the game after 22 minutes, when Danny Richardson attacked the line and handed off to Jordan Johnstone who raced over for the Vikings’ opening try.
Widnes soon levelled proceedings when Adam Lawton pounced on a short ball from Johnstone, and crashed over for a try.
On the stroke halftime, Thunder kicked a penalty goal to take a narrow lead into the break.
The hosts were quick out the blocks to start the second half, and stretched their advantage to eight points curtesy of a try from Bailey Antrobus.
Widnes once again managed to respond when Danny Richardson ducked under a couple of tackles and sent a looping pass over to the left edge for Frank Sergent to score in the corner.
The Vikings continued to try and build momentum until Gilmore’s pass was picked up by Thunder who once-more raced the length of the field to score.
Newcastle added another nine minutes from time, when Mitch Clark burrowed his way over from acting half.
The hosts then added a penalty goal on the hooter to secure a 34-16 win.
Match highlights
Teams and scorers
Widnes Vikings: Connell, Sergent, Taylor, Owens, Ince, Richardson, Gilmore, Murray, Johnstone, Chapelhow, Roberts, Langtree, Gregson. Interchanges: Fozard, McWhirter, Lawton, Banditt, Bent.
Tries: Johnstone, Lawton, Sergent
Goals: Richardson (x2)
Newcastle Thunder: Harrison, Djeukessi, Ferriera, Reynolds, Ward, Lipp, Roberts, Jackson, Cook, Clark, Antrobus, Sagaga, Vuniyayawa. Interchanges: Horwell, Ta’ai, Hudson, Whittingham.
Tries: Jackson, Lipp, Antrobus, Reynolds, Clark
Goals: Harrison (x7)
