The Vikings fell to a narrow defeat to rivals Warrington Wolves in our final pre-season fixture of 2024, a high-scoring contest that saw the hosts win out 46-40.
The Vikings scored seven tries on the night but it wasn’t enough to get past a good, young Warrington side.
Allan Coleman’s side found themselves leading 10-0 after just five minutes thanks to tries from Roberts and Fleming.
Warrington pulled one back through Max Wood, but the Vikings responded immediately as Kieran Dixon crossed in the corner to re-establish a 10-point lead.
The energetic Warrington side began to pick up the pace from that moment, however, going on to score 28 points in the remainder of the first half as they led 34-16 at the interval.
Max Wood grabbed a second of the night for the hosts shortly after half-time, which then prompted a fightback from the Vikings in the second half.
Kieran Dixon and Sam Wilde crossed to bring the scoreline to 40-28 with 20 minutes to go.
However, following a disallowed try for Mike Butt in the corner, Warrington broke from deep to extend their lead as Taylor-Wray grabbed a second.
A second for Sam Wilde and a late try from Matty Fozard saw the Vikings within six points but it wasn’t enough to draw level, as the lads fell to a 46-40 defeat at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Vikings kick off their 2024 campaign next Sunday, 4 February as we travel to Heywood Road to take on Swinton Lions in the 1895 Cup.
COACHES COMMENTS
Head coach, Allan Coleman said: “I thought we started positively, I think we went eight minutes without giving them the ball which was really pleasing to see and we were playing some good rugby.
“But fair play to Warrington because with the ball they were electric. Dwyer in particular was a threat all game and he was the difference in my eyes. We just couldn’t control them, it was far too quick.
“Mixed emotions, we played some really good stuff in the first 15-20 minutes but we let ourselves down in the second part of the first half.”
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Widnes Vikings: Roby, Ince, Fleming, Roberts, Dixon, Lyons, Owens, Walker, Fozard, Wilson, Lloyd, Wilde, Gregson
Interchanges: Brooks, Johnstone, Bent, Butt, Tilleke, McCurrie
Tries: Dixon 2, Wilde 2, Roberts, Fleming, Fozard
Goals: Dixon 6
Warrington Wolves: Taylor-Wray, Thewlis, Bardsley-Rowe, Lindop, Russell, Whitehead, Hayes, Dudson, Dwyer, Thomas, Holroyd, Tupaea, Wood
Interchanges: Gardner, Green, Hartill, Sergent, Marshall, McKinney, Irwin, Raughter, High
Tries: Whitehead 2, Wood 2, Taylor-Wray 2, Thomas, Dwyer
Goals: Hayes 7
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