WIDNES VIKINGS 52 ROCHDALE HORNETS 0
CHARLIE BOYER, DCBL Stadium, Sunday

WIDNES booked a final showdown with London thanks to a resounding win over Rochdale, with nine scorers in a ten-try rout.  

The Vikings wasted no time and opened the scoring after four minutes. After moving the ball from right to left close to the line, Sam Wilde opened up a gap to score before Jack Owens added the extras.

Wilde thought he had his second not long after as he latched onto the end of a kick over the top of the Hornets defence, but he couldn’t ground the ball in time before bouncing into touch.

After twelve minutes, the lead was increased as Mike Butt raced away to touch down with Owens missing from the tee.

Rochdale’s first foray into Widnes territory came five minutes later. After electing to kick for touch following a penalty just short of halfway, they went close with efforts from Jack Hansen and Tom Ashton, who was thwarted just short.

The third try for Allan Coleman’s side came just after the midway point of the first half. After a tricky kick from Tom Gilmore forced a drop-out, Joe Edge went over unopposed, but Owens again missed from the tee.

Max Roberts then managed to plant the ball down from close range before Owens took the lead to 20 points with a simple kick just to the right of the posts.

Jack Billington added his name to the scoresheet three minutes before the break with a try similar to Hall’s. This time Edge improved.

Right on half-time, Kieran Taylor weaved his way through the Rochdale defence to notch and Edge converted from bang in front of the posts for 32-0.

Ten minutes into the second half, Danny Langtree sliced through the Rochdale defence following a period of sustained pressure. Matty Fozard dragged the conversion attempt across the face of the posts.

If there were any lingering hopes of a Rochdale comeback, they were quickly extinguished as after a low kick from the ever-inventive Gilmore, Wilde pounced to grab his second and his side’s eighth try of the afternoon. It went unconverted by Fozard.

The home side were in complete control and moments later, Nathan Connell finished off a swift passing move, and Fozard goaled.

On 67 minutes, Fozard darted out from acting-half to duck underneath the defence to count before tagging on the two.

Rochdale did find their way into the Widnes half in the closing stages but couldn’t clinch a score despite the best efforts of Jamie Dallimore and Hansen.

GAMESTAR: Widnes’ inventive halfback Tom Gilmore controlled the play, produced some challenging kicks.

GAMEBREAKER: The first try for the home side set the tone for what was to come and despite a valiant showing from Rochdale, there was only ever going to be one winner.

MATCHFACTS

VIKINGS
23 Nathan Connell
2 Mike Butt
25 Kieran Taylor
4 Joe Edge
5 Ryan Ince
3 Jack Owens
7 Tom Gilmore
8 Dan Murray
9 Jordan Johnstone
21 Jay Chapelhow
12 Max Roberts
11 Sam Wilde
15 Lewis Hall
Subs: (all used)
14 Matty Fozard
20 Jack Billington
16 Danny Langtree
18 Morgan McWhirter

Tries: Wilde (4, 54), Butt (12), Edge (21), Roberts (25), Billington (37), Taylor (39), Langtree (50), Connell (58), Fozard (67)
Goals: Owens 2/4, Edge 2/2, Fozard 2/4

HORNETS
1 Max Flanagan
22 TJ Boyd
4 Junior Sa’u
3 Tom Ashton
2 Dan Nixon
6 Jamie Dallimore
25 Jack Hansen
23 Chris Barratt
7 Jordan Paga
18 Mark Ioane
9 Ross Whitmore
12 Ethan Wood
13 Jordan Syme
Subs (all used)
8 Jaden Dayes
10 Lewis Hatton
17 Dylan Kelly-Duffy
19 Luke Waterworth

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 14-0, 20-0, 26-0, 32-0; 36-0, 40-0, 46-0, 52-0

Rugby Leaguer and League Express Men of the Match
Vikings: Tom Gilmore; Hornets: Max Flanagan

Penalty count: 5-5
Half-time: 32-0
Referee: Scott Mikalauskas
Attendance: 2,190