Widnes Vikings: Featherstone Rovers run riot as Widnes slump to third consecutive defeat

Aug 18 2011 by Daniel Mckenzie, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES were on the receiving end of a crushing 56-16 defeat to Featherstone Rovers at the Big Fellas Stadium on Wednesday night.

The joint league leaders ran in 11 tries in total as the Vikings slumped to their third consecutive defeat.

A serious looking injury to Steve Tyrer – who had to be stretchered off in the closing stages of the first half – compounded Widnes’ misery.

Indiscipline and unforced errors starved the Vikings of decent field position throughout the match.

Sam Smeaten’s brace and further tries from Tommy Saxton, Ben Cockayne and Bryn Powell opened up a 26-0 lead for the home side at the break.

And the Rovers continued the onslaught at the start of the second half, with Stuart Dickens bulldozing through the Vikings defence with only four minutes played.

Danny Hulme pulled a try back for Widnes on 46minutes to spark feint hopes of a comeback.

But Featherstone once again extended their lead through Jon Hepworth.