O’Brien whacks doomed Vikings

KICKS: Gareth O’Brien GARETH O’BRIEN and promotion-hopefuls Toronto doomed dire Widnes to relegation.

The Vikings’ seven-year stay in Super League has looked at risk all season and it was left to the Wolfpack to kill them off.

The 20-12 victory lifts the Canadian new boys up above Hull KR and into the third automatic promotion place.

Paul Rowley’s men, who face Leeds away in their final game on Friday, were well worth their win.

O’Brien kicked four goals, with Corey Paterson, Matty Russell and Blake Wallace going over for tries.

Salford and Hull KR were the other big Super League losers in a day of high drama in the Middle 8s.

The Red Devils had looked to have one foot in next year’s Super League after winning their opening four games.

But a disastrous 11-8 loss at London Broncos yesterday, following a narrow late defeat by Leeds last week, has left them facing a jittery final week.

The Broncos are fighting to get into the Million Pound Game – the play-off match to determine the fourth promotion spot.

A Jay Pitts try, plus two Jarrod Sammut goals and a drop-goal, gave them a

9-0 half-time lead. Salford struck back with two unconverted Greg Johnson tries but London held on and another Sammut goal saw them home.

Ian Watson’s Red Devils need to beat Toulouse at home on Thursday to avoid getting dragged into the Million Pound Game.

And that will not be easy after the French side stunned Hull KR with a sensational fightback to win 34-23 last night.

Tim Sheens’ Robins collapsed dramatically after racing into a 19-0 lead with tries from Robbie Mulhern, Craig Hall and Chris Atkin.

Three tries in five minutes pulled Toulouse back to within a point at half-time and they totally took control in the second half.

Rovers will now need to beat Widnes next Sunday, and hope Toronto lose to Leeds on Friday, to claim the safety of a top-three spot.

Meanwhile, Hull FC’s miserable form in the Super 8s continued with a

26-20 defeat at home to Catalans. HAVE A FIELD DAY: Kev KEVIN SINFIELD has urged his champions to play with freedom in today’s must-win Middle 8s game at Halifax.

Leeds are still far from safe but Sinfield believes last week’s crucial victory over previously unbeaten Salford was key.

He said: “Hopefully we will play some of our best stuff now some of the pressure has lifted and some of the clouds have started to clear.

“Everyone else will have played before us this weekend so we will know what the table