Widnes will head into a home semi-final against Stanningley off the back of a 4-20 away victory against Leigh Miners Rangers
The Vikings overcome a spirited first half test from Leigh Miners, as they secured a victory on the last day of the regular season.
The afternoon got off to a great start with some smart play by Widnes on the left edge from Half-Back Aimee Wood, who released Naoimh Gill-Ward down the touchline to score her first try of the game.
The hosts hit back with a try of their own off the back of some ill-discipline by Widnes, who made life difficult for themselves conceding numerous yardage penalties in the first half.
To Leigh’s credit they punished Widnes marching them deep into their own half, forcing the league leaders to start sets from deep. The spirit and skill on show didn’t look like a team who sat in 7th position in the league table.
The teams went into the break level at 4-4 with the game in the balance. Widnes looked threatening ball in hand but needed to build more pressure in Leigh’s half for the hosts to crack.
The second half began and it was clear the Vikings had stepped the intensity up a level. Loose-Forward Jenny Moss was creating chaos down the middle of the park with numerous inside balls creating space for her middles.
Forwards Hannah Whitehead, Ellie Reid and Vickie Grace began to become dominant ball in hand, generating a quick ruck speed for Hooker Sammy Traynor to play off and feed her Half-Backs.
The pressure soon turned into points as Widnes put the ball through hands using some threatening attacking shape, Full-Back Hannah Quirk drew in the Leigh defence, which allowed space for Naoimh Gill-Ward to race down the touchline and step off her left foot evading defenders to score her second try of the afternoon, taking the score to 4-8.
More direct running was followed by Chloe Richardson and the rest of the Widnes forward pack to get the team higher up the pitch. Following another sharp play the ball, Stand Off Hollie Jones saw an opportunity on the short side and powered her way over the line.
Aimee Wood added the extras from out wide to take the scores to 14-4.
The league leaders was now showing their quality, controlling the ruck in defence and pinning the spirited Leigh team deep in their own half, forcing handling errors.
One last attacking opportunity arose for Widnes on the right side. Yet again the Vikings Half-Backs put the ball through hands exposing some tired defence, the ball reached Centre Rachel Porter who raced to the try line.
Porter showed a clean pair of heels, making the kicking angle easier for Aimee Wood who made no mistake from the boot.
The game finished 20-4 in the favour of the Vikings after a dominant second half display. Head coach Dom Dean will no doubt be happy with the result given his team have not had match action in 4 weeks.
The Vikings improved as the game progressed, but they will want to raise their performance levels as they welcome 4th placed Stanningley Rangers in a home play-off tie, for a chance to earn a place in the grand final at Odsal on Sunday 12th October.
The winners of Widnes V Stanningley will meet either 2nd placed Wakefield or 3rd placed Workington in the final.
This Sunday’s semi-final will be hosted at Wilmere Lane with a 2pm kick off time. Come along down and showcase your support for the league leaders on what promises to be an action packed afternoon.
