In a thrilling encounter, the Widnes Vikings emerged victorious against the Keighley Cougars, securing their second win in the space of a week. The game played at the Widnes home ground, saw both teams fiercely competing, with the Vikings ultimately prevailing with a comfortable margin of 38-22.
The match began with an intense back-and-forth, as both teams made significant advances on the field. The Widnes Vikings, however, enjoyed the upper hand in terms of territorial advantage. After 14 minutes of play, the deadlock was finally broken when Adam Lawton bulldozed his way through the Keighley line, crashing onto a well-executed short pass and leaving the opposition defence helpless.
Not ones to be deterred, the hosts responded swiftly and took control of the game midway through the first half. Junior Sa’u powered his way over the whitewash after receiving an excellent pass from Lloyd Roby. This try put Keighley in the lead and injected a new level of energy into the contest.
Widnes, refusing to relinquish their grip on the game, capitalised on a series of four consecutive sets close to the Cougars’ line. Matty Fozard took advantage of the opportunity, expertly linking up with Owen Farnworth to touch down and regain the lead for the Vikings. The first half concluded with another try for Widnes, as Joe Lyons seized the chance to score on his 100th appearance for the team. The score at halftime stood at 14-6 in favour of the Vikings.
The second half kicked off with a burst of energy from Widnes, as Tom Gilmore touched down just three minutes after the restart. Gilmore’s try followed an impressive break downfield from Jacob Jones, further extending the Vikings’ advantage. Keighley, however, retaliated swiftly with Lloyd Roby, once a member of the Vikings, crossing over the try line to keep his team in contention. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Max Roberts then secured a converted try, widening the Vikings’ lead once again.
As the game progressed, Widnes continued to dominate. Sam Wilde capitalised on quick hands to score shortly after the hour mark, extending the lead further. Roberts’ second try of the afternoon brought the Vikings’ tally to an impressive 38 points with 67 minutes played.
The Cougars fought back valiantly, with Ellis Robson and Charlie Graham each crossing over for tries late in the game. However, their efforts were ultimately in vain, as Neil Belshaw’s Widnes Vikings held on to secure a 38-22 victory.
The win marks the second consecutive triumph for the Widnes Vikings, showcasing their resilience and determination on the field. Fans of the team can now look forward to their next fixture with renewed optimism as the Vikings continue their pursuit of further success in the season.
