Match Report | Sheffield Eagles 30-21 Widnes Vikings
23/06/2024
Sheffield Eagles produced a second half comeback on Sunday afternoon to secure a 30-21 victory against Widnes Vikings in the Betfred Championship.
It was the visitors who led at the break following two converted tries, as well as a penalty and a drop goal from Tom Gilmore, despite Kris Welham’s score for the Eagles inside the opening forty.
But the Eagles had to fight back in the second half and four tries were enough to seal a valuable two points to keep us second in the league table.
Mark Aston named a similar side to the one who beat Featherstone Rovers last time out, with the only change being Matty Marsh, who returned to the side following suspension in place of winger Ryan Millar.
Widnes came into this fixture looking to return to winning ways following their defeat last weekend at home to Wakefield Trinity.
It was the visitors who struck first in the contest as they went over for the game’s first score inside nine minutes. A grubber kick through on the last tackle saw Max Roberts touch down for the game’s opening score, which was converted by Gilmore.
Widnes Vikings then extended their lead as Oliver Brooks and Jack Owens linked-up down the left-hand side, which allowed the latter a finish from close-range near the left-hand touchline.
Gilmore’s touchline conversion put Widnes two scores ahead, but the Eagles closed that gap as Jack Hansen’s short ball played Welham in for a secure under the sticks to pull us back into the contest.
The visitors later kicked a goal and dropped a goal through Gilmore to extend the visitors lead, ensuring they headed into the sheds 6-15 ahead at the break.
Another penalty from Gilmore extended Widnes’ lead to 6-17 early on in the second half, but the Eagles edged ahead before the hour mark as tries from Connor Bower and James Glover showed a spirited comeback from Sheffield.
But once we went ahead, it took only a couple of minutes for Widnes to edge back in front as Gilmore’s kick forward fell into the hands of their winger, before the ball was played back inside to Roberts who touched down. Gilmore was unable to add the extras with the touchline conversion.
At 18-21, Widnes let their lead slip as we scored twice in the final nine minutes to secure yet again another victory.
Vila Halafihi firstly made a dart for the line from dummy half on the last tackle, before Marsh’s great break was finished off by Welham after the centre spotted a quick play of the ball from the tackle.
The Eagles remain in second place in the Betfred Championship, and they face a tough trip to the LNER Community Stadium next weekend to take on in-form York Knights (3pm).
Sheffield Eagles: Marsh, Jones-Bishop, Welham, Glover, Dawson-Jones, Aston, Hansen, Battye, Halafihi, Clark, Foster, Sene-Lefao, Hodgson
Interchanges: Bower, J.Farrell, Gwaze, Wood
18th Man: Liu
Tries: Welham (26’ 78’), Bower (46’), Glover (61’), Halafihi (71’)
Conversions: Aston (5/5)
Widnes Vikings: Owens, Butt, Roberts, Fleming, Brookes, Lyons, Gilmore, Kirk, Johnstone, Murray, Lloyd, Wilde, Brogan
Interchanges: Fozard, Brooks, Langtree, Walker
18th Man: Bent
Tries: Roberts (9’, 66’), Owens (17’)
Conversions: Gilmore (4/5)
Drop Goals: Gilmore (40’)
Referee: M.Griffiths
Attendance: 1,003
