Vikings bow out in Halifax nail-biter

Sep 5 2008 by Paul Glynn, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES Vikings bowed out of Co-operative National League One action for the season after falling just short in a nail-biting play-off decider at The Shay Stadium.

However, Steve McCormack and his men can still hold their heads high following another gutsy performance against Halifax and now reflect on what has been an admirable season, conducted in turbulent conditions throughout.

The home side took the lead on four minutes when a well worked move saw talismanic ‘Fax scrum-half Ben Black go over in the corner, before Holroyd failed to convert.

Widnes responded, piling on the pressure and were held up close to the whitewash on a number of occasions by a strong home defence.

‘Fax full-back Greenwood did well to defuse several high kicks early on, but he was helpless to prevent Gavin Dodd, who collected a Matty Smith bomb, from going over in the corner, before Steve Tyrer converted.

Ben Black then shocked the Vikings defence to its core, storming 70 metres to score a wonderful counter-attacking try, after collecting a loose kick from Matty Smith and handing off Steve Tyrer.

Holroyd made no mistake with the boot on this occaison to regain the lead for his side at 10-6.

Mark Flanagan stretched the home side’s advantage with a brace of tries either side of the interval which were both converted by Holroyd to make it 22-6.

Gavin Dodd then matched Flanagan’s efforts by going over for his second try of the game as Vikings began to apply some pressure.

Steve Tyrer converted from near the touchline, before crossing for a try of his own following a slick Widnes passing move.

The on-loan Saints centre narrowly missed the subsequent difficult kick.

Bob Beswick, Ian Hardman and Iain Morrison began to drive the Vikings forward, but Halifax soon rediscovered their first half form as Paul Smith touched down, leaving Holroyd to add the extras.

Widnes stand-off John Duffy received a heavy knock to the head as Widnes continued to chase the game.

Substitues Paul Noone and Adel Fellous both went close late on, with the Frenchman seeing his try disallowed for a double movement when putting the ball down.

However, two late kicks by the experenced Holroyd effectively finished the tie as a contest and at 32 -16 put an end to Vikings play-off dreams.

As Widnes head off for a much needed break, Halifax

will prepare to face the winners of Sunday's clash between Leigh and Whitehaven at The Shay on Sunday, September 14.