The Vikings returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 34-12 victory over Dewsbury Rams at the DCBL Stadium.
Allan Coleman’s side ran in six tries from four different try scorers to secure a first win since the 22-18 triumph away at York in June.
It was the visitors who struck first as Lewis Carr broke down the right edge before stepping inside to score.
The Vikings hit back through Sam Wilde who took Tom Gilmore’s short pass to cut in and score under the posts before Matty Fozard burrowed over with a trademark try from dummy half to give the Vikings a 12-6 lead at the break.
Dewsbury responded early in the second half as Carr crossed out wide for his second to draw the visitors level.
The scores weren’t level for long however as Rhodri Lloyd this time steamed onto a short pass from Gilmore to crash over close to the sticks and restore the advantage.
Both sides then saw players sent to the sin bin. Garside was shown yellow for the Rams after a high shot on Gilmore before Sam Brooks was sent to the bin for leading with the elbow.
With both sides reduced to 12 it was Widnes who capitalised as Mike Butt took a quick pass from debutant, Zac Bardsley-Rowe, to crash over out wide.
Having established a 12-point lead the Vikings found their groove, Sam Wilde taking another Gilmore pass to cross for his second before Matty Fozard finished off a break from deep to bag a brace of his own and secure a 34-12 win.
The Vikings look to make it back-to-back wins this Sunday against Halifax Panthers as we travel to the Shay, tickets are available HERE
COACHES COMMENTS
Head Coach Allan Coleman said: “It was a bit scrappy but it was vitally important we got back to winning ways, that was our main goal.
“I think Dewsbury deserve a lot of credit, they were very together as a team and they frustrated us.
“When we were getting on a roll and playing quickly they found it very difficult, and often had to try and slow the game down.”
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Widnes Vikings: Owens, Butt, Bardsley-Rowe, Brand, Ince, Lyons, Gilmore, Williams, Johnstone, Murray, Lloyd, Wilde, Roberts
Interchanges: Field, Fozard, Brooks, Brogan, Roby (18th)
Tries: Wilde x2, Fozard x2, Lloyd, Butt
Goals: Gilmore x5
Dewsbury Rams: O’Connor, Carr, Walker, Graham, Restall, Turner, Hookem, Beckett, Butterworth, Morris, Garside, Ferguson, Collinson
Interchanges: Dixon, Summers, Davies, Bibby, Hird (18th)
Tries: Carr x2
Goals: Turner x2
ATTENDANCE: 2337
