Last Time Out
Widnes travelled to the Championship side Hull KR, who needed a win to secured Super League status for next season. In what was a very low scoring game Hull KR triumphed 12-6 and booked their place in Super League next season. Jamie Ellis opened the scoring with a penalty to put the hosts 2-0 up early on before Hep Cahill capitalised off a 5th tackle kick.
Lloyd White converted and it looked as though the Vikings would go into half time in the lead but Thomas Minns scored a try of his own on the stroke of half time. Ellis converted the Robins went into the break two points up. The second half remained scoreless for the majority before Ryan Shaw wrapped up the game, and Super League promotion, for the Robins with a pivotal interception try in the 70th minute.
On the other hand, London Broncos kept their promotion hopes alive with a 36 -14 win at home against Halifax. Halifax opened the scoring with Steve Tyrer before London scored three unanswered tries through William Barthau, Alex Walker, and Andy Ackers. Halifax got one back before half time to go in eight points down before a deluge of London points with tries from Rhys Williams, Kieran Dixon, and Elliot Kear, as well as a Dixon penalty goal to all but win the game. Rob Worrincy managed to grab a consolation try back for the visitors late on but it was too little to late for Halifax.
Key Battle
The Broncos forwards have been getting their foot in the door recently and should continue in the same vein against Widnes. Widnes, on the other hand, are the class team out of the two, and should be able to dominate the Broncos up front and finish off with their backs. If the Broncos forwards can once again front up and match the Widnes pack then we could be seeing a great come back from the London boys who looked all but out of the competition a couple of weeks ago.
Prediction
It’ll be a fast track on the 3G at the Select Security Stadium so I doubt we’ll be short of points in this one. Broncos should be able to score their fair share, but the defining factor will be whether London can defend well. Widnes are the classier side but they may start to doubt themselves if London get a foothold in the game and as a rugby league fan that’s what we’d all love to see, in order to set up a massive clash next week between London and Leigh. The reality, though, is that Widnes will come out with and take advantage of a London defence that’s susceptible to leaking a fair few points. Widnes by 10.
19-Man Squads
Widnes Vikings: Jack Buchanan, Greg Burke, Hep Cahill, Ed Chamberlain, Danny Craven, Gil Dudson, Alex Gerrard, Tom Gilmore, Chris Houston, Ryan Ince, Jordan Johnstone, Manase Manuokafoa, Stefan Marsh, Joe Mellor, Tom Olbison, Charly Runciman, Danny Walker, Lloyd White, Matt Whitley.
London Broncos: Andy Ackers, William Barthau, Eddie Battye, Lewis Bienek, John Boudebza, James Cunningham, Matt Davis, Kieran Dixon, Matt Garside, Matt Gee, Ben Hellewell, Mark Ioane, Elliot Kear, Api Pewhairangi, Jay Pitts, Jarrod Sammut, Tom Spencer, Alex Walker, Rhys Williams.
