Tigers pounce on Vikings (From Warrington Guardian)

Tigers pounce on Vikings

WIDNES Vikings went down 40-6 to a powerful Wests Tigers outfit in hot and steamy Forster-Tuncurry, writes Mark Farmer.

It was the conclusion of the Vikings pre-season training programme and coach Neil Kelly was relatively pleased with his depleted side's display.

He said: "I thought we competed well against a very good side.

"They've got some very special players in the Tigers outfit and I'm sure Wests coach Tim Sheens will be pleased with the way his boys have gone.

"The game was played at a very fast pace and in the hot conditions, it was never going to be easy."

The Vikings only try of the match came in the 32nd minute when the impressive David Mills forced his way over from close range.

Jules O'Neill added the conversion but by then the Tigers had already rattled up 18 points with three fine tries.

The inspiration for the Australian outfit's early dominance was teenage sensation Benji Marshall.

He set up two and scored one of the Tigers tries after showing some mesmerising footwork.

Widnes managed to avoid further damage until the 55th minute when Shane Elford skipped through an

Adam Hughes tackle to race over.

The same player repeated the dose just five minutes later to put the game out of sight at 28-6.

The final quarter became something of a damage limitation exercise as the heat and humidity began to take its toll on a tiring Vikings defence.

Two late tries for the Tigers gave them a flattering score and didn't reflect the Widnes effort.

Widnes entered the game without injured stars Shane Millard, Robert Relf, Dean Lawford, Ryan MacDonald and Aaron Moule.

Props Mills and Julian F O'Neill both had strong games and trialist hooker Andrew Henderson did his chances of earning a contract no harm at all.

A 4,800 crowd, including a smattering of Widnes fans, thoroughly enjoyed the carnival atmosphere.

The one major downside to the occasion as far as the Vikings were concerned was an injury to winger Paul Devlin.

He fell awkwardly in a two-man tackle in the 15th minute and had to be carried from the field.

According to Widnes officials, it appears he may have suffered ligament damage, which could see him sidelined for some considerable time.

Widnes: Atcheson; Devlin; Bird; Hughes; Giles; J O'Neill; Myler; Hobson; Henderson; J F O'Neill; McCurrie; Hay; Frame; Subs: Rowlands; Robinson; Finnigan; Mills; Ainscough; Bibey; Wozniak; Royle.