Widnes Vikings returned to winning ways thanks to a 24-16 victory at home to Newcastle Thunder in the Betfred Championship.
The Vikings found themselves 24-0 and on course for victory before Thunder scored three quickfire tries in the closing stages to reduce the deficit.
The win sees John Kear’s side climb up to fourth in the league table.
Team news
Adam Lawton and Liam Bent returned to the matchday squad, having both missed last weekend’s 14-12 defeat to Toulouse Olympique.
Danny Craven also started in the halves alongside Joe Lyons, with the one-game ban he incurred last week not taking effect until next Sunday’s Betfred Challenge Cup trip to Dewsbury Rams.
Owen Farnworth was named in the 21-man squad, but his return was put on ice after he wasn’t included in the matchday 18.
Story of the game
Having missed a chance to break the deadlock inside 15 minutes following a superb break from Ryan Ince, the Vikings did hit the front before the midway point of the first half.
Captain Jack Owens scored the try after a neat pass back on the inside from Shane Grady.
A Joe Edge penalty goal stretched the lead to 8-0, and Kieran Dixon strolled over in the corner to give the Vikings some breathing space moments before half-time.
Sam Wilde was next to cross as the Vikings made the most of the sin-binning of Connor Moore – Thunder’s second yellow card of the afternoon – to make it 18-0.
Then a fine Dixon intercept paved the way for try number four, with Joe Lyons on hand to support the winger and go over under the posts.
A late yellow card for Danny Craven meant the Vikings would finish the game with 12 men, and the visitors soon made their numerical advantage count.
Jay Chapelhow crashed over on his return to face his former club, before Mitch Clark also went over.
A scoot from Alex Foster added further points late on for Thunder, but their flurry of points wasn’t enough for victory as the Vikings picked up their first league win since February 27.
Next game
Sunday 2 April – Dewsbury Rams (A) – 3pm
Teams and scorers
Widnes Vikings: Jack Owens, Ryan Ince, Matt Fleming, Joe Edge, Kieran Dixon, Danny Craven, Joe Lyons, Callum Field, Matty Fozard, Kyle Amor, Shane Grady, Sam Wilde, Aaron Brown.
Interchanges: Liam Bent, Ant Walker, Adam Lawton, Olly Davies (18th man: Owen Farnworth).
Tries: Owens, Dixon, Wilde, Lyons
Goals: Edge 4
Newcastle Thunder: Alex Donaghy, Alex Young, Alex Foster, Connor Wynne, Jack Johnson, Jack Miller, Nikau Williams, Jay Chapelhow, Curtis Davies, Mitch Clark, Nick Staveley, Brad Gallagher, Matthew Laidlaw.
Interchanges: Danive Balmforth, Connor Moore, Ted Chapelhow, Connor Bailey (18th man: Rhys Clarke).
Tries: J.Chapelhow, Clark, Foster
Goals: Williams 2
Golden Gamble half-time draw result
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- 1st prize: 13783
- 2nd prize: 11352
- 3rd prize 13666
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