Vikings won’t be rushed in coach search

A MONTH after parting company with Simon Finnigan, Widnes Vikings are still to announce who will take over the reins at the DCBL Stadium.

The Vikings sit ninth in the Betfred Championship on ten points and a push towards the play-offs looks increasingly difficult.

A number of names have been linked with the vacant position including John Duffy, Anthony Murray, Micky Higham and Ryan O’Brien.

But the club is keen to avoid a rash appointment and will bide their time in a bid to get the right man.

Widnes were beaten by Sheffield Eagles on the opening night of the Olympic Legacy Park in Round 12 of the Betfred Championship.

Jake Spedding returned from injury to start the game, with Danny Craven also returning for his first game since Round 3 to enter the fray for the second period.

Widnes got off the mark five minutes into the contest after taking advantage of a penalty on the Sheffield 30, playing out right for Lloyd Roby to break the line and get over.

The Vikings doubled their lead shortly after, taking advantage of another penalty call to send Sam Wilde over on the left this time.

However, the hosts pulled one back 15 minutes into the contest when Ben Jones-Bishop capitalised on a penalty of Sheffield’s own.

The Eagles pulled level halfway through the first period after a Widnes mistake on the catch just ahead of our line allowed Jason Bass to score following the scrum.

Sheffield were awarded a penalty goal shortly ahead of the Vikings try line with five minutes until the break, and Izaac Farrell kicked the two to hand the hosts a narrow lead going into half-time.

The Eagles added a try ten minutes into the second period when Kris Welham found space on the Widnes left.

There was more trouble out wide for Widnes shortly after when Jason Bass got his second on the right-hand side.

Sheffield extended their lead further when Michael Wood powered through, with Izaac Farrell adding another within a couple of minutes to take the Eagles to 34 points.

Widnes pulled one back with a couple of minutes to go when Danny Craven worked a one-two out on the left, with Ryan Ince adding another shortly before the hooter to close the contest at 34-24.

Next up for the Vikings is the home game against Bradford Bulls on June 2nd.

SHEFFIELD EAGLES: Quentin Laula Togagae, Ben Jones-Bishop, Kristian Welham, Josh Guzdek, Jason Bass, Izaac Farrell, Anthony Thackeray, Brandon Douglas, Thomas Holmes, Michael Wood, Connor Bower, Joel Farrell, Evan Hodgson. Interchanges: Blake Broadbent, Yusuf Aydin, Isaac Shaw, Tyler Dickinson.

TRIES: Ben Jones-Bishop, Jason Bass (2), Kris Welham, Michael Wood, Izaac Farrell. GOALS: Izaac Farrell (4/6).

PENALTY GOAL: Izaac Farrell.

WIDNES VIKINGS: Lloyd Roby, Ryan Ince, Jake Spedding, Ste Tyrer, Joe Edge, Joe Lyons, Matty Smith, Callum Field, Matty Fozard, Eribe Doro, Olly Davies, Sam Wilde, Aaron Brown. Interchanges: Danny Craven, Owen Farnworth, Kenny Baker, Adam Lawton.

TRIES: Lloyd Roby, Sam Wilde, Danny Craven, Ryan Ince.

GOALS: Ste Tyrer (4/4).*