SLXX - Warrington Wolves 22-20 Widnes Vikings

Wolves 22-20 Vikings
By Editor
May 3 2015

Warrington Wolves produce a dramatic last gasp victory over derby rivals Widnes Vikings to climb up to 4th in the First Utility Super League table after Round 13 of SLXX

Warrington captain Joel Monaghan broke Widnes hearts in a thrilling Cheshire derby with the match-winning try 12 seconds from the end.

The Vikings were poised to complete a notable double and collect their first away win of the season when they led 20-18 with time fast running out.

But Monaghan collected a bouncing ball from full-back Stefan Ratchford in the last play of the match to grab his second try and clinch a 22-20 victory at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The outcome was tough on Widnes captain Kevin Brown, who had been identified by Warrington coach Tony Smith as the danger man and justified the warning with a brace of opportunist tries.

The win lifts Warrington up to fourth place in the First Utility Super League and leaves Widnes in the bottom four and still waiting for that first away win.

Warrington had opened the scoring on 10 minutes through winger Gene Ormsby, who took Ryan Atkins' pass to cross at the corner, but the visitors drew level midway through the first half when left winger Jack Owens dummied his way over from dummy half for a soft try.

The introduction from the bench of reigning Man of Steel Daryl Clark injected fresh impetus into Warrington's attack and, after second rower Ben Currie had been held up over the line, winger Monaghan collected a grubber kick from the outstanding Ben Westwood to score their second try.

Westwood then broke through the first line of defence to get Clark over and Ratchford kicked his first goal in the swirling conditions to make it 14-4.

With Rhys Hanbury and Brown demonstrating some excellent touches, however, the Vikings were always a threat and they struck on the stroke of half-time when the latter's cut-out pass enabled winger Paddy Flynn to cross at the corner.

Owens was again unable to add the goal but Widnes dominated the third quarter and duly took the lead.

Replacement hooker Aaron Heremaia was held up on his back over the line and Monaghan saved a try by getting a hand to Hanbury's pass intended for winger Owens, but the pressure told when Brown jinked his way over for a solo try which Owens converted.

That brought the scores level and the visitors went in front for the first time on 55 minutes when Brown stole the ball from Warrington loose forward Chris Bridge in a legitimate one-on-one tackle and raced 60 metres to score his second opportunist try.

Owens' touchline goal put his side six points clear but fortunes continued to fluctuate and Warrington stepped up their game.

Monaghan gathered another high kick from Patton, only to see his final pass to Currie deemed to be forward, before Westwood burrowed his way over after Ormsby had been hauled down just short.

Patton was unable to convert from wide out to leave his side trailing by two and there were further chances at both ends in a frantic finish.

Owens had a try disallowed for obstruction while Warrington prop Ashton Sims was held up on his back before Monaghan struck the crucial blow on the stroke of full-time.