Betfred Championship R24: Widnes vs Sheffield Preview

21/08/2022

Sheffield Eagles travel to Widnes Vikings on Sunday afternoon as they look to draw level on points with the seventh-placed side. 

The Eagles battled well against Halifax at the Olympic Legacy Park in round 23 but ultimately came up short.

Widnes have been in great form under the stewardship of new coach John Kear and they ran out 12-26 victors over Whitehaven in Cumbria last weekend.

Last Time Out

Sheffield were beaten on home turf against Halifax, despite a spirited performance.

The Eagles had a 20-10 half-time lead thanks to scores from Kris Welham, Anthony Thackeray and a Tom Holmes brace. Halifax got on the scoresheet through Lachlan Walmsley and Joe Arundel. 

The visitors had the better of the second period as they turned the game on its head with four consecutive tries. Arundel completed his hat-trick, in-between four-pointers for Zack McComb and Joe Keyes. Brandon Douglas’ late try proved to be a mere consolation for Mark Aston’s men. 

Widnes went up to seventh in the Championship table with a win over Whitehaven. Matt Fleming, Sam Wilde, Liam Bent and Matty Fozard all got on the scoresheet for the Vikings, with Steve Tyrer kicking four conversions from as many attempts.

Haven’s efforts came courtesy of Will Evans and Curtis Teare. 

Key Battle - Adam Lawton | Brandon Douglas

Starting at prop for the Vikings last weekend, Adam Lawton is a forward of great potential and one that Widnes fans will hope John Kear can get the best out of. 

With such a big frame, he can cause major issues for the defence as well as a slick offloading game. 

One of the forwards that may be tasked to stop Lawton will be Brandon Douglas. Sheffield fans are seeing the best of the former Doncaster man currently, with a couple of tries to his name and some fierce rib-ticklers. 

Certainly an edge-of-your-seat player, Douglas will be wanting to take his form through to the end of the year. 

By Dan Fowler, graphic by Alex Coleman