Widnes Vikings 18-25 Swinton Lions

Widnes Vikings were beaten 25-18 by Swinton Lions in Round 16 of the Betfred Championship.

The visitors led 14-0 at half-time, and two tries shortly after the break stretched their lead further.

The Vikings would respond through Ant Walker and Olly Davies, but a Jamie Ellis drop-goal put the game beyond doubt from a Swinton perspective.

Still, there was time for Widnes to pull another back through Adam Lawton, with the forward collecting an offload and barging over close to the line to grab a late consolation.

Team news

Ryan Millar, Max Roberts, Ant Walker, Jacob Jones, Olly Davies and Aaron Brown all returned to the starting 13 as John Kear rung the changes following last weekend’s defeat at Barrow Raiders.

Jordan Johnstone also got the nod at hooker, with Matty Fozard dropping to the bench.

Story of the game

After a scoreless opening 15 minutes, the visitors posted the afternoon’s first points, courtesy of the boot of Will Roberts.

That marked the start of a purple patch for Swinton, who then scored twice in a matter of minutes.

First, a high kick was allowed to bounce and was subsequently batted into the arms of Jamie Ellis, who raced away down the right touchline and dived over in the corner.

On their next foray forward, the Lions capitalised on a fumble at the back from Jack Owens, with George Roby picking up the loose ball and touching down.

There would no further points in the opening half, with a flashpoint on the stroke of half-time seeing both sets of players coming together. The outcome of the skirmish was a yellow card for Vikings forward Lewis Hatton and Swinton’s Gavin Rodden.

The visitors got off to a flying start in the second half as Rhodri Lloyd spun his way to the line to make it 20-0.

That was soon followed by a try for Jayden Hatton down the Swinton left, after quick hands sent him over for a diving finish in the corner.

With just over an hour played, the Vikings got their opening try of the afternoon through big front-rower Ant Walker. The Wales international crashed onto a short ball close to the line and let his momentum carry him over.

A second Vikings try soon followed as Olly Davies supported a half-break from Walker to touch down and make it 24-12.

Swinton moved more than two tries clear as Ellis added a drop-goal, but it would be the Vikings who rounded off the day’s scoring thanks to a close-range finish from Adam Lawton.

Next game

Saturday 1 July – Toulouse Olympique (A) – 6:00pm (5:00pm UK)

Teams and scorers

Widnes Vikings: Jack Owens, Ryan Millar, Max Roberts, Zach Eckersley, Kieran Dixon, Joe Lyons, Tom Gilmore, Ant Walker, Jordan Johnstone, Olly Davies, Jacob Jones, Sam Wilde, Aaron Brown.

Interchanges: Matty Fozard, Adam Lawton, Lewis Hatton, Shane Grady (18th man: Joe Edge).

Tries: Walker, Davies, Lawton

Goals: Gilmore 3

Swinton Lions: Joeseph Romeo, Jayden Hatton, Jake Spedding, Ben Davies, Andrew Dadrock, Will Roberts, Jamie Ellis, Gavin Bennion, George Roby, Louis Brogan, Rhodri Lloyd, Gavin Rodden, Nick Gregson.

Interchanges: Josh Eaves, Lewis Hall, George Delaney, Kenny Baker (18th man: Jordan Case).

Tries: Ellis, Roby, Lloyd, Hatton

Goals: Roberts 3, Davies

Drop-goals: Ellis