Widnes just unable to tame the Tigers
● CASTLEFORD TIGERS .............. 32 WIDNES VIKINGS ...................... 22 INJURY-HIT Widnes gave it their best shot before going down 32-22 to Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle last Friday evening.
The Vikings went into the game as massive underdogs against the Betfred Super League leaders but gave the hosts a real fright.
Denis Betts’s men led 22-20 with seven minutes remaining but Greg Eden’s hat-trick try and further touchdown from Matt Cook spared the home side’s blushes.
Betts said: “I asked for some tough things from the team this week and I’m getting this effort pretty regularly.
“We’re lacking a bit of continuity in selection and, with our injuries, a bit of consistency in our training.
“But the effort and energy we put in tonight was outstanding.
“We got control of the game after the first 15 minutes of the first half, but with the class that Castleford have this year and the confidence that’s running through their side, they came back at us.”
Early territorial dominance saw Castleford take a ninth minute lead through Eden but Widnes hit back when Lloyd White and Ed Chamberlain combined to get winger Ryan Ince in at the corner with Chamberlain converting superbly.
The Vikings extended their lead when on-loan full-back Jack Johnson wriggled through several tackles to score a fine individual try at the posts to make it 12-4.
That looked likely to be the half-time score but just before the break Tigers substitute Gadwin Springer bulldozed his way in to pull six points back.
Widnes increased their lead early in the second half when winger Corey Thompson took Charly Runciman’s flick pass to dive in at the flag.
And an upset certainly looked on the cards when the Vikings added a superb score through Jordan Johnstone after White and Chamberlain had again done the spadework.
Chamberlain’s goal then made it 22-10.
Cas have become renowned for scoring tries in clusters this season and it probably surprised few when they produced a couple of excellent handling moves to yield tries for Zak Hardaker and Eden.
With the home side having closed the gap to two points, you felt Widnes needed the next score and it nearly came with both Greg Burke and Runciman getting held up over the line.
With the locals now in full voice, the Tigers hit the front on 73 minutes with Eden finishing off a smart scrum move to give his side the lead and Cook’s late try ended the argument.
For the Vikings it was a case of close but no cigar.