Vikings show great steel in fightback

Aug 21 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

NEITHER the importance of the win nor the character shown by the Vikings in recovering an early 12-point deficit for away victory over Sheffield Eagles can be over-stressed, according to delighted coach Steve McCormack.

His Widnes side all but mathematically clinched their place in the play-offs ahead of the final round of matches in Co-operative National League One this weekend.

And McCormack, for one, was impressed by the qualities Vikings displayed in a 26-20 win in front of the ‘live’ Sky TV cameras at Don Valley Stadium.

McCormack said: “It was a big game and a big win. They have had some good results at home where they are a different team.

“It was do-or-die for them – we can’t over-emphasise how important that game was.

“We played them after a four-day turnaround – whereas Sheffield had seven days.

“It is irrelevant if you are full-time or not. That still makes a big difference.

“We were pretty battered and bruised going into the game. Considering the pressure we were under earlier and what the game meant to them, I think it was a very good effort.”

Vikings had to survive a late fright when Eagles prop Mitch Stringer saw a try chalked off for a forward pass in the build-up.

But there was no doubt Widnes had put the work in to deserve a bit of luck.

Sheffield had posted two tries in the first 16 minutes through centres James Ford and Mike Roby.

Full-back Johnny Woodcock improved both – Widnes winger Gavin Dodd seeing a touchdown disallowed in between for hitting the corner flag in the act of scoring.

Stand-off Brendon Lindsay’s knock- on close to the visitors’ try line proved a costly mistake for Sheffield as Widnes struck three times in the last eight scintillating minutes of the half.

Tries by hooker Mark Smith, winger Dean Gaskell and centre Steve Tyrer were all converted by the latter for an 18-12 interval lead.

Widnes doubled the advantage with centre Chris Dean collecting a high kick from scrum-half Matty Smith to go over, giving Tyrer his fourth kick to which he later added a fifth.

The on-loan St Helens player’s 84th- minute penalty provided the final points of the game.

Roby’s second and a Woodcock touchdown, both unconverted, had kept the Eagles’ chances very much alive.