The Vikings bowed out of the Challenge Cup at the Fourth Round stage after a 26-16 defeat to Warrington Wolves at the DCBL Stadium.
Allan Coleman’s side led twice in the game but couldn’t hold on in the end as the visitors edged a thrilling derby contest.
It was the Vikings who struck first as Danny Langtree took a short ball from Matty Fozard to power over from close range.
The Vikings went close to a second as Tom Gilmore stabbed a kick in behind for Ryan Ince but he couldn’t quite gather the bouncing ball and the chance went begging.
Warrington finally put points on the board just past the half-hour mark as George Williams slipped an offload to Adam Holroyd to cross over.
The visitors then grabbed their second try as the half-time hooter sounded when a hopeful cross-field kick bounced up for Josh Thewlis to touch down in the corner.
The Vikings hit back early in the second half with a sensational try from deep as Mike Butt broke down the right edge before finding Matt Fleming in support to score.
Warrington looked to have found an immediate response as Alfie Johnson appeared to have a stroll in but as he rounded off to score closer to the posts, a brilliant last-ditch effort from Butt dislodged the ball.
Shortly after, the Vikings hit the front through Jack Owens as he took a neatly worked inside pass from Gilmore to cross and establish a 16-10 lead.
The Wire cranked up the pressure and despite some valiant defence from the Vikings, they finally made it pay as Max Wood broke a tackle to draw level.
Warrington finally took the lead again with less than 10 minutes to play as a cross-field kick bounced over the heads of Butt and Owens before being gathered by Ben Currie for the try.
The visitors added some gloss to the scoreline late on as Zane Musgrove powered over but it didn’t take away from a valiant display by the Vikings who fell to a 26-16 defeat.
We turn our attention to a big clash with Doncaster at the Eco-Power Stadium. Tickets are available HERE.
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Widnes Vikings: Owens, Butt, Fleming, Roberts, Ince, Patton, Gilmore, Murray, Fozard, Reilly, Lloyd, Langtree, Gregson
Interchanges: Lyons, Lannon, Bent, Bennion, Williams (18th)
Tries: Langtree, Fleming, Owens
Goals: Gilmore x2
Warrington Wolves: Taylor-Wray, Thewlis, Tai, Currie, Johnson, Williams, Ratchford, Vaughan, Walker, Musgrove, Holroyd, Russell, Harrison
Interchanges: Powell, Philbin, Crowther, Wood, Leyland (18th)
Tries: Holroyd, Thewlis, Wood, Currie, Musgrove
Goals: Ratchford x2, Thewlis
ATTENDANCE: 7011
