Sheffield Eagles finish regular season with victory over Widnes
Sheffield Eagles bounced back from defeat to Doncastre to grind out a victory over Widnes
Sheffield Eagles brought their regular Betfred Championship campaign to a winning conclusion on Thursday evening, holding off a late Widnes Vikings fightback to secure a 12-8 victory at the MEPS International Home of Football Stadium.
Following last Sunday’s narrow defeat at Doncaster, Craig Lingard’s side were looking for a response, and although the Eagles were made to work hard for the two points, they produced a disciplined display to finish the regular season on a positive note.
The opening exchanges were closely fought, with neither side able to establish a clear advantage. Sheffield came closest to breaking the deadlock inside the opening 20 minutes, but Masi Matongo and Martyn Reilly were both denied by determined Widnes defence.
The Eagles eventually found a way through with 15 minutes of the first half remaining.
Jordan Abdull’s kick towards the corner was kept alive by Joe Brown, who palmed the ball back into play. Will Oakes gathered possession and quickly found Jack Bussey, who finished from close range to put Sheffield 4-0 ahead.
Brown then appeared to have added a second shortly afterwards when he reached the corner, only for the effort to be ruled out after the winger was adjudged to have knocked on while attempting to ground the ball.
That proved to be the final significant moment of the half, with Sheffield taking a narrow 4-0 lead into the interval.
The hosts increased their advantage five minutes into the second half when Kieran Gill finished in the left-hand corner, registering his 14th try of the season.
Sheffield continued to threaten, with Oakes being held up over the line before Blake Broadbent came close to extending the lead.
The Vikings struggled to find a way through a stubborn Eagles defence, and Sheffield looked to have put the result beyond doubt when Gill crossed for his second try of the evening with nine minutes remaining.
Abdull was unable to convert either of Sheffield’s tries and Bower also missed his goal attempt, but the Eagles nevertheless appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable victory at 12-0.
Widnes, however, refused to go quietly.
Jenson Windley reduced the deficit with a successful penalty before Alfie Lindsey produced a spectacular late twist, racing the length of the field to score as the final hooter sounded, but it was little too late for the visitors.
The result handed the Eagles two valuable points and ensures they head into the Championship play-offs with momentum after recovering from their defeat at Doncaster.
Sheffield will now return to the MEPS International Home of Football Stadium this coming Sunday for the Betfred Championship Playoff Eliminator. They host Batley Bulldogs this weekend, with kick off scheduled for 3pm.
Sheffield Eagles: Eden, Brown, Oakes, Gill, Millar, Morgan, Abdull, Matongo, Johnson, Reilly, Bower, Foster, Griffin.
Interchanges: Bussey, Butterworth, Broadbent, Bowes.
18th Man: Fitzsimmons.
Tries: Bussey (25), Gill (50, 71).
Goals: Abdull 0/2, Bower 0/1.
Widnes Vikings: Windley, Coughlan, Rhodes, Lindsey, Sergent, Forshaw, Lyons, McWhirter, Doolan, Houghton, Taylor, Grice, Hall.
Interchanges: Hamer, Jupp, Bennett, Harper.
18th Man: Rigby.
Try: Lindsey (80).
Goals: Windley 2/2.
Referee: K. Moore
Attendance: 669