The Vikings fell to a third consecutive defeat this afternoon, going down 24-16 to Batley Bulldogs at the DCBL Stadium.
Allan Coleman’s side led twice in the game but couldn’t hold on for the win as Batley took advantage of a number of costly errors to secure the two points.
Batley struck first after just two minutes as they broke from deep, after a series of offloads the ball found its way to Walshaw who kicked over the top to touch down.
The visitors were reduced to 12 men after Nixon Putt was sent to the bin, a period which the Vikings took full advantage of.
Mike Butt scored first taking in Jack Owens’ pass over the top to stroll in before Rhodri Lloyd rose highest to palm a kick into the hands of Owens to bag a try of his own and give the Vikings a four-point lead.
The Bulldogs responded through Dale Morton who crossed after the ball was moved wide to take the scores to 12-10 in the visitors’ favour at the break.
Matty Fozard burrowed over for a trademark try ten minutes into the second half to restore the lead but a mix-up from a kick between Mike Butt and Lloyd Roby shortly after, allowed Batley to pounce as Dane Manning gave the Bulldogs an 18-16 lead.
The Vikings searched but couldn’t fashion any notable scoring opportunities. George Senior has the final say as he scored to secure a 24-16 win for the visitors.
We turn our attention to a trip to Heywood Road next week as we take on Swinton Lions, looking to get back to winning ways after three defeats on the bounce.
COACHES COMMENTS
Head Coach Allan Coleman said: “I’m really disappointed. I thought we were poor today.
“I feel we could have done a few things differently and I’ll take responsibility for that, I’m a coach and I want to learn.
“I’m disappointed with how we panicked, how we executed, and just generally how we behaved on the field, to be honest.”
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Widnes Vikings: Owens, Butt, Fleming, Brand, Brookes, Roby, Gilmore, Kirk, Johnstone, Murray, Lloyd, Wilde, Gregson
Interchanges: Fozard, Langtree, Roberts, Brogan, Brooks (18th)
Tries: Butt, Owens, Fozard
Goals: Gilmore x2
Batley Bulldogs: Hooley, Morton, Buchanan, Senior, Burton, White, Woods, Brown, Moore, Cooper, Manning, Walshaw, Putt
Interchanges: Burton, Ward, Mitsias, Kibula, Butterworth (18th)
Tries: Walshaw, Morton, Manning, Senior
Goals: Woods x4
ATTENDANCE – 2476
