Vikings continued their recent good run of form with a convincing 50-6 win away at Newcastle Thunder on Saturday to return to the Play Off places in 6th position ahead of the Sunday games.
TEAM NEWS
Aaron Brown started at loose forward and Lewis Hatton returned on the bench after Owen Farnworth missed out due to concussion protocols.
STORY OF THE GAME
The stormy weather failed to appear during game time, although a downpour before the game threatened to provide a miserable time, weatherwise. By kick off though the rain had gone and held off throughout the match.
Again starting brightly, the Vikings were soon into their stride and were aggressive in defence and looked sharp with ball in hand forcing Thunder into an early goal line drop out.
Widnes then took the lead in the 9th minute in the left-hand corner following good work with Max Roberts grabbing the try. Kieran Dixon missed the conversion from out wide. Thunder then applied a bit of pressure and, kicking on the last tackle to the corner, caused a bit of panic in the Vikings defence, as the kick was fumbled before being cleared up.
Vikings then scored again through Joe Lyons, who had a good game throughout forced his way over, again in the left corner. With the wind proving tricky Dixon was unable to convert. Vikings were then pulled back after scoring for a forward pass.
Widnes were well in control of the game by the time Sam Wilde scored on 27 minutes, virtually in the same spot as the previous 2 and Dixon converted, 14-0 after 29 minutes. Thunder then kicked the restart out on the full and from the penalty Vikings marched them back down the pitch and Robert went in for his second after good work by Joe Edge. Dixon again converted, 20-0 after 31 minutes.
It was virtually one way traffic at this point and Wilde was held up over the line before Dixon got his name on the try list on 38 minutes, and again converted. The half time hooter was a welcome relief for the Thunder team.
The Vikings came out determined to keep up the pressure and on 45 minutes, Gilmore dummied and went over on 45 minutes with Dixon unable to convert another difficult kick from out wide. More pressure from the Vikings forced Thunder to drop out and the pressure told again as Sam Wilde went in for his second of the afternoon bursting onto a ball with the defence unable to stop him. 34-0 after 53 minutes and the Vikings were in total control.
Thunder then had 4 sets in succession and got their reward with their only try of the game when Balmforth went over close to the posts for the hosts with the conversion making the score 34-6 to the Vikings. That only served to make the Vikings more determined and, within 2 minutes Callum field was collecting the ball close to the line and walking over, unopposed. with Dixon converting.
There was then a comedy moment when Lawton and Lyons collided when trying to collect the same pass, the ball went to ground as did the bodies but Thunder knocked on and then another Thunder defender dropped on the ball in an offside position, so the Vikings ended up with a penalty! From the penalty the Vikings moved the ball quickly to the right and Ollie Brookes went in on the right, 44-6 after 69 minutes.
Next on the list of scorers was Matt Fleming after more good work creating the chance. Dixon kicked the goal and the Vikings had half a century of points.
It was a thoroughly good performance from the Vikings and was commanding throughout. Bigger tests to come, for sure, but 4 wins on the spin and a week off next week to get over bumps and bruises.
NEXT GAME
York City Knights, Sunday 20 August DCBL Stadium, kick off 3pm.
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Widnes Vikings : Edge, Dixon, Roberts, Fleming, Brookes, Lyons, Gilmore, Field, Fozard, Lawton, Wilde, Grady, Brown
Interchanges : Forber, Walker, Hatton, Davies
Tries : Roberts 2, Wilde 2, Lyons, Dixon, Gilmore, Field, Brookes, Fleming
Goals : Dixon 5
Newcastle Thunder : Donaghy, Young, Clegg, Walker, Boafo, Bailey, Miller, J Chapelhow, Davies, Clark, Burns, Gallaher, Tuliatu
Interchanges : Simons, Balmforth, Moore, Lightowler
Tries; Balmforth
Goals : Donaghy
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