Widnes took a significant step towards a swift return to the top flight next year with a 24-8 victory here in the Super 8 Qualifiers. At times this season they have looked in serious danger of being in the Million Pound Game when the Qualifiers come around. But the Super 8s truly show what a team is all about and, with three rounds left, it looks much clearer who will finish where come the end of the Qualifiers.
At the top Warrington andHull Kingston Rovers appear on course for a top-three finish and an automatic place in Super League for 2018. Below them is a three-team battle for the final spot between Widnes, Leigh and Catalans. This victory for Widnes, their third in succession, puts them firmly in pole position for the third.
While 2017 has been an undoubted struggle for the Vikings this win, which was more comfortable even than the scoreline suggests, may enable them to avoid the final drama at Leigh’s expense.
For Leigh, at times this season, their debut year back in Super League after a decade-long absence looked as if it could have even ended with a top-eight finish and no need to navigate a path through the Qualifiers.
But in recent months the Centurions have struggled – and this was a worrying performance on an afternoon that could have gone a long way to securing their safety in the top flight.
Below par throughout, Neil Jukes’s side now face the ominous task of a trip to the side at the top of the Qualifiers, Warrington, next weekend.
Should they lose there, a Million Pound Game place may not even be certain with Championship sides such as London not yet out of the running for fifth. “I’ve not looked at the table,” Jukes said. “This was all our own doing today.”
Widnes were never behind and by half-time they had established a 14-0 lead which, given how poor their opponents were, always felt commanding enough. Tries for Lloyd White and Alex Gerrard, coupled with two penalties from the boot of Rhys Hanbury, put the Vikings well ahead and, though James Clare reduced the deficit to give Leigh hope shortly after half-time, it would be in vain.
Their woes were summed up on the next set when they surrendered possession – and from it Corey Thompson capitalised to put Widnes comfortably ahead again.
Matty Dawson responded for Leigh in the closing stages but two more penalties, this time from Chris Bridge after Hanbury had gone off injured, confirmed what many people knew: on this occasion Widnes were much the stronger of the two sides.
They now head to Hull KR on Saturday looking to prevent the Robins from rubber-stamping an immediate return to Super League.
Should Tim Sheens’s side win their fifth consecutive game, they will be all but guaranteed a top-three finish following victory against Featherstone on Sunday. In the day’s other game Catalans beat Halifax 24-0 to remain in a Million Pound Game spot.
Leigh McNally; Clare, Brown, Langi, Dawson; Reynolds, Drinkwater; Tickle, Mortimer, Hansen, Paterson, Vea, Burr. Interchange Higham, Hopkins, Stewart, Richards.
Tries Clare, Dawson.
Widnes Hanbury; Marsh, Bridge, Runciman, Thompson; Mellor, Craven; Buchanan, White, Dudson, Whitley, Houston, Cahill. Interchange Gerrard, Manuokafoa, Olbison, Walker.
Tries White, Gerrard, Thompson. Goals Hanbury 3, Bridge 3.
Referee B Thaler. Attendance 6,209.
