Vikings continue to show battling quality

Aug 14 2008 by Paul Glynn, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

RESILIENT Vikings players showed their mettle by coming out of this bottom-of-the-table clash on top, writes PAUL GLYNN.

The visitors seized the early initiative, in a game which ebbed and flowed throughout, with Stuart Dickens’s successful 20-metre left-foot penalty. The kick came about after John Duffy and Bob Beswick were somewhat mysteriously penalised for what looked like a good piece of defensive work.

Vikings’ response came from outstanding hooker Beswick, who went over after good work from fellow forward Jim Gannon.

Steve Tyrer added the extras to begin another faultless afternoon with the boot.

Soon after the restart, Featherstone substitute Tony Tonks made an immediate impact, pouncing to score from under the sticks.

Paul Handforth converted with his right foot from close range to regain the lead for his side.

Widnes responded courtesy of some quick thinking from try-scorer Beswick, who freed the onrushing Ian Hardman to touch down on the right wing, Tyrer converting.

Coach Steve McCormack, who had unleashed inspirational skipper Mark Smith back into the play after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury, will not have been happy with someof his side’s first-half defending.

The Vikings’ back- line failed to prevent Rovers full- back Loz Wildbore from waltzing through several challenges to go over on the half- hour mark.

Paul Handforth again added the extras to put Featherstone back in control of this topsy- turvy tie.

Featherstone’s lively scrum-half Anthony Thackeray saw his drop goal attempt fall just short seconds before the half-time hooter sounded.

Yet McCormack was still left with plenty of work to do at the break in order to turn things around.

Whatever words the Widnes boss did say in the dressing room, they appeared to have an immediate effect as Widnes’s comeback began in earnest with a storming break from Lee Paterson.

The loose forward evaded three Rovers challenges to score just after the restart.

The excellent Tyrer made it a hat- trick of conversions to give his side an 18-14 lead.

However, Widnes were again pegged back when Wildbore, who was a menace all afternoon, evaded three or more challenges before releasing winger Wayne Pryce to score in the corner.

Stuart Dickens produced a piece of magic with the left foot, converting from the touchline to once more give his side the lead.

The home side finally began to turn the screw just after the hour mark, scoring through Matty Smith after a great run and offload from Richard Fletcher, which was converted by Steve Tyrer to make it 24-20.

The comeback was complete in the final minute when Sam Barlow collected his first Widnes score, bursting through a weary Rovers defence.

Tyrer again held his nerve to add the extras and seal the win for Vikings, who proved to be just too strong for their Yorkshire opponents.

After a closely fought game, a 10- point difference possibly flattered Vikings, who will be delighted to have taken the scalp of one of the sides around them in the Co-operative National League One table.