The Vikings fell to a fourth consecutive defeat this afternoon, going down 24-12 to Swinton Lions at Heywood Road.
Allan Coleman’s side held a 12-0 lead at the break but couldn’t hold on as a number of injuries and costly errors contributed to a second-half comeback from the Lions.
Danny Langtree struck first for the Vikings as he powered onto a short pass from Joe Lyons to force his way past multiple defenders and score.
Langtree turned provider as he palmed a short drop-out down to Nick Gregson to stroll in against his former club to stretch the lead to 12 points.
The Vikings then lost Ollie Brookes to a leg injury and the influential Langtree who suffered a dislocated shoulder, joining Liam Kirk who was forced off moments into the game with a head injury.
A strong defensive performance to close out the half saw the depleted Vikings to halftime with a 12-0 lead intact.
The hosts hit back early in the second half as Rhys Williams intercepted a pass from Tom Gilmore to race away and score.
Momentum swung the Lions’ way as they scored two tries through Rodden and Hatton to take the lead.
The Vikings’ injury woes were compounded as Liam Bent was forced off with a head injury before Gregson departed with a shoulder injury.
Sam Brooks was sin-binned late on which saw the hosts knock over two points to take an eight-point lead before they broke from deep on the next set to seal a 24-12 win.
The Vikings look to bounce back next weekend as we face Dewsbury Rams at the DCBL Stadium, tickets are available HERE
COACHES COMMENTS
Head Coach Allan Coleman said: “First half we went well, I thought we were composed but we lost three players which really impacted us, it just disrupted everything.
“We were just trying to hang on, I could see they were fatigued. Fair play to Swinton I thought second half they were good and we just couldn’t get any good ball.
“It’s no excuse, we should be winning games but the injuries today have killed us and it has cost us massively.
“I’m not going to slam them for today’s performance because I think if you take five players out of any team it will be costly.”
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Swinton Lions: Abram, Lepori, Spedding, Hatton, Williams, Hall, Morgan, Houghton, Roby, Okoro, Rodden, Badrock, Wood
Interchanges: Cox, Case, Cowen, Hartill, Purcell (18th)
Tries: Williams x2, Rodden, Hatton
Goals: Abram x4
Widnes Vikings: Owens, Butt, Lloyd, Brand, Brookes, Lyons, Gilmore, Kirk, Fozard, Murray, Langtree, Wilde, Gregson
Interchanges: Brooks, Johnstone, Bent, Brogan, Roby (18th)
Tries: Langtree, Gregson
Goals: Gilmore x2
