Vikings 10 Wakefield 4 Half time (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Vikings 10 Wakefield 4 Half time

9:10pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Vikings news

VIKINGS have a 10-4 half time lead in their Super League opener against Wakefield Trinity Back in the top flight after a six season absence, Vikings went into the game without vice captain Shaun Briscoe, half back Anthony Watts and speedster Paddy Flynn.

And there were times when they missed the presence of Watts close to the line when Vikings struggled to penetrate the line despite a mountain of possession.

Wakefield, with former Leeds heavyweight Ali Lauitiiti making his presence felt, started the brightest and they very nearly crossed after just two minutes only for Ben Cockayne to be dragged in at the corner.

Vikings bounced back – and five minutes later Danny Craven had the speed of thought to dab a kick through and get to it first to open their Super League account after seven minutes.

Patrick Ah Van slotted the extras and after a crunching tackle from Hep Cahill had dislodged the ball from Cockayne Vikings enjoyed a strong spell of pressure on the Wakefield line.

However, they could not penetrate and when they did they bombed what looked like a certain try when the final pass to Ah Van went to his bootstraps.

Trinity soaked it up and then countered with Lauitiiti taking a peach of a pass to steam through a hole.

Isaac John missed the goal.

Wakefield, at this stage, were looking more threatening, particularly Lauitiiti who burst through again, but this time the chance went begging.

Widnes had other opportunities to camp out on the line, but with no way through opted to kick to thew corner.

They were unlucky to have Frank Winterstein’s effort chalked off by the video ref after numerous looks.

But with Ah Van’s clearance getting them on the front foot, Vikings got another crack.

Andy Raleigh’s knock on two minutes before the end with Winterstein getting the ball out of the tackle for Willie Isa to send Ah Van in at the corner.

Line-ups: Widnes: Danny Craven; Chris Dean, Stefan Marsh, Willie Isa, Patrick Ah Van; Jon Clarke, Rhys Hanbury; Ben Cross, Scott Moore, Ben Kavanagh, Frank Winterstein, Dave Allen, Hep Cahill. Subs: Lloyd White, Steve Pickersgill, Kurt Haggerty, Anthony Mullally.

Wakefield: Richie Mathers; Peter Fox, Dean Collois, Vince Mellars, Ben Cockayne; Isaac John, Tim Smith; Kyle Amor, Paul Aiton, Steve Southern, Ali Lauitiiti, Danny Kirmond, Danny Washbrook. Subs: Kyle Wood, Oliver Wilkes, Andy Raleigh, Paul Johnson.

Ref: Ben Thaler