Vikings make play-offs

Aug 15 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

WIDNES VIKINGS ensured that they will be playing play-off rugby this season after they ground out another nail-biting result at the Don Valley Stadium.

The game was in the balance until the final minutes with Sheffield being denied a late score that could have levelled proceedings but Mitch Stringer’s effort was ruled out for a forward pass.

Widnes were chasing the game after they went 12-0 down but skipper Mark Smith sparked a revival as the Vikings flew in for three rapid tries in the space of eight minutes.

The hooker, making his first start in two months after being sidelined with a serious elbow injury, dragged the Vikings back into it as he powered over.

Minutes later in-form Vikings winger Dean Gaskell touched down to level it for the visitors and just before the stroke of half-time on-loan St Helens centre Steve Tyrer crossed for Widnes’s third of the evening which restored order at the break.

The Eagles, who were only a point behind Widnes before the clash, started like a house on fire and the Vikings were shell shocked in the early stages as James Ford and Mike Roby got Mark Aston’s side in front and held there own for 15 minutes before the Vikings sprang into action.

Widnes coach Steve McCormack said: “The victory and the points is all that counts. We have had a season of ups and downs but we carry on and we are in the top six.”