26 Mar 2023

MATCH REPORT // Widnes Vikings 24 v 16 Newcastle Thunder

Defeat on the road in Round 7 for Newcastle Thunder.

Newcastle Thunder showed plenty of heart and effort in the first half of this Betfred Championship fixture but were unable to create a foothold in the game for the first 40.

Widnes Vikings opened the scoring after 18 minutes with fullback Jack Owens crossing after some impressive handling in the build-up. Centre Joe Edge converted, and the score stood at 6-0.

Widnes would then further add to their points tally through a penalty goal on 27 minutes. Brad Gallagher penalised and sidelined for 10 minutes for a hit on Shane Grady. Joe Edge knocked over the penalty and the score now stood at 8-0.

A period of pressure from Thunder offered no reward before Widnes crossed once more, just short of the half-time whistle. Winger Kieran Dixon the scorer in the corner after quick-play from the Vikings. Edge converted from out wide, proving to be the final say of the half and Thunder trailed 14-0 at the break.

Thunder showed their worth in the opening 14 minutes of the second half before they went down to 12 men for the second time. Ted Chapelhow the culprit this time and sent to sinbin. Proving costly, Widnes would score almost instantly. Some quick passes along the line created an opening for second row Sam Wilde who crossed for the Vikings’ third of the afternoon. Unconverted the score stood at 18-0 with 25 to play.

Thunder would ask questions of the Widnes defence, coming close on a number of occasions but failing to convert. Captain and second row Alex Foster with the pick of attempts, collecting his own kick-through but was held over the line.

Despite Thunder’s best efforts, it was Widnes who scored next. An interception from Kieran Dixon saw the Vikings run in a length of the field try. Halfback Joe Lyons provided the support, collecting the pass and crossing under the posts. Edge converted from in front and the score now stood 24-0.

After Danny Craven of Widnes was sinbinned on 74 minutes,Thunder would finally get their first score of the afternoon.

After another period of pressure in the Widnes half, Jay Chapelhow crossed from close-range. The prop forward spinning out of the defensive tackle to dot down under the sticks. Nikau Williams converted and with five minutes left to play it was 24-6 in favour of the Vikings.

A final flourish would see Thunder add another further two tries. First through prop Mitch Clark, barreling over from close range before a searing break by fullback Alex Donaghy paved the way for captain Alex Foster to dive over from the base of a ruck.

With one try successfully converted by Williams, the final score stood at 24-16 in favour of Widnes Vikings.

NEWCASTLE THUNDER SCORERS

TRIES: Jay Chapelhow, Mitch Clark, Alex Foster

GOALS: Nikau Williams 2.

SINBIN: Brad Gallagher, Ted Chapelhow.

 

WIDNES VIKINGS SCORERS

TRIES: Jack Owens, Kieran Dixon, Sam Wilde, Joe Lyons

GOALS: Joe Edge 3.

PENALTY GOALS: Joe Edge.

SINBIN: Danny Craven.

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