HUNSLET 0 WIDNES VIKINGS 48
ALFIE INGRAM, South Leeds Stadium, Sunday

WIDNES gave a debut to halfback Danny Richardson and he repaid them by having an outstanding role in their overwhelming victory, kicking eight goals and having a role in many of their tries.

Hunslet, on the other hand, failed to get on the scoreboard and for much of the game they seemed to be chasing shadows.

Hunslet saw more of the ball in the opening ten minutes and they had an early chance through Mo Agoro, who was held just short of the line.

They were sloppy in possession at times, and in the 15th minute, the Vikings punished a Hunslet knock-on by spreading the ball out wide to Ryan Ince, who sprinted down the right wing to go over for the their first try of the day.

Hunslet raised the pressure just before the half-hour mark, with Eddie Battye being held up a few metres short of the line. Widnes won back possession, however, and shifted the ball towards Mike Butt, who scored in the left corner to extend their lead.

The Vikings went over again in the 33rd minute through Nathan Connell, who took advantage of a gap in the left side of the Hunslet defence to score from a few metres out.

Widnes were unlucky not to get another before half-time, as Richardson nearly found Butt on the left edge, but his pass was a couple of inches ahead of the winger.

Widnes then won a penalty before the hooter sounded, which was put away by Richardson to give his side an 18-point half-time lead.

The second half kicked off, and Hunslet won a penalty five minutes in. They then nearly exploited a gap from close range, but the Vikings’ defence was up to the task.

In the 51st minute, Widnes scored again, after Jordan Johnstone played in the incoming Adam Lawton from close range for a try under the sticks.

Hunslet were hit by another blow on the hour mark, as Lee Gaskell was sent to the sin bin.

The Vikings began putting on relentless pressure as the game progressed, constantly pushing Hunslet back.

Sam Wilde appeared to score for the Vikings in the 61st minute, but the try was disallowed. He earned his try shortly afterwards, however, going over from close range under the sticks.

It then took just three minutes for the Vikings to score again, with Connell capitalising on a gap in the middle of Hunslet’s defence to secure his second of the day.

Richardson was unlucky not to score a debut try of his own, being held up on the line in the later stages of the game.

The Vikings couldn’t stay disappointed for long, though, as Jack Billington powered his way through the defence in the next play to extend their lead to 42 points.

Matty Fozard added his name to the scoresheet with a couple of minutes left to play, slicing his way through the middle of Hunslet’s defence with a nice turn of pace.

Richardson added the goal and can feel very happy with his contribution to a big victory.

GAMESTAR: Danny Richardson looked excellent on his Widnes debut, creating chance after chance for the Vikings.

GAMEBREAKER: Nathan Connell’s try in the 33rd minute to give Widnes a 16-point lead made it clear that Hunslet were going to have a lot of work to do in the second half.

MATCHFACTS

HUNSLET
1 Billy Jowitt
5 Mo Agoro
43 Ben Johnson
3 Myles Harrop
18 Jimmy Watson
6 Lee Gaskell
7 Dan Abram
8 Harvey Hallas
14 Cam Berry
26 Ethan O’Hanlon
11 Harrison Gilmore
27 Charlie Graham
13 Eddie Battye
Subs (all used)
12 Darcy Simpson
20 Liam Carr
22 Jack Ward
35 Luca Atkinson

Sin bin: Gaskell (60) – professional foul

VIKINGS
23 Nathan Connell
2 Mike Butt
3 Jack Owens
4 Joe Edge
5 Ryan Ince
17 Danny Richardson
7 Tom Gilmore
8 Dan Murray
9 Jordan Johnstone
21 Jay Chapelhow
12 Max Roberts
11 Sam Wilde
18 Morgan McWhirter
Subs (all used)
10 Liam Bent
14 Matty Fozard
19 Adam Lawton
20 Jack Billington

Tries: Ince (15), Butt (28), Connell (33, 68), Lawton (51), Wilde (65), Billington (74), Fozard (78)
Goals: Richardson 8/9

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-10, 0-16, 0-18; 0-24, 0-30, 0-36, 0-42, 0-48

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Hunslet: Eddie Battye; Vikings: Danny Richardson

Penalty count: 7-4
Half-time: 0-18
Referee: Tom Grant
Attendance: 875