Rugby League: Widnes Vikings 40, Doncaster 18

Jul 30 2007

WIDNES Vikings were made to fight all the way by Doncaster before running out 40-18 winners at Halton Stadium.
 
It took two second half tries from former Warrington centre Toa Kohe-Love before the Vikings could rest easy against rivals who had suffered a 90-point mauling at the Keepmoat Stadium last month.
 
Widnes enjoyed territorial advantage early on but were met by stubborn resistance.
 
Shaun Leaf's try-saving tackle on Widnes centre Mick Nanyn on eight minutes epitomised the visitors’ effort, but the full back paid a heavy price as he was stretchered from the field.
 
It took Widnes until the 16th minute to score as second row Lee Doran bulldozed his way over from close range, with Nanyn converting.
 
However, prop forward Luke Burgess powered in for a six-pointer to level the scores.
 
Substitute Chris Buttery had a try disallowed for Doncaster before Nanyn powered 50 metres to score.
 
The introduction of Oliver Wilkes gave Widnes more momentum and they took advantage three minutes before the break as Doran stretched over for his second try - a virtual replica of his first.
 
Widnes fans may have hoped a 16-6 half-time lead was a platform for a runaway win.
 
The notion was reinforced when winger Damian Blanch ran 70 yards to score on 44 minutes. Nanyn converted, but the visitors hit back as Burgess linked up with scrum-half Luke Gale, who showed good pace to finish off at the posts.
 
Gale converted his own try and Doncaster were entitled to feel they were right back in it.
 
But Kohe-Love then made jis presence felt. Twice within the space of three minutes the New Zealander linked up with Scott Grix to produce excellent scores.
 
Nanyn failed to convert on both occasions, and fared no better after Wilkes stormed in to make it 34-12, but he was successful after he started a move substitute Gavin Dodd finished off.
 
Doncaster had the last word, as stand-off Chris Forster’s try was converted by Gale.