07 August 2022

Rovers overcame a determined Widnes side to get back to winning ways in a thrilling game. Widnes were the first to get on the scoreboard, a penalty conceded 10m out in front of the sticks led Widnes to take the two points on offer.  This was compounded minutes later when Widnes extended their lead through Ryan Ince, Joe Edge was unable to add the conversion leaving Rovers trailing by six. Midway through the first half Rovers finally broke through a stubborn Widnes defence to get themselves back in the game, Junior Moors the try scorer with a trade-mark short range drive. Hall added the conversion to bring the scores balanced as the game moved into the second quarter.  Both sides had periods of pressure on their opposition lines, Widnes were again the first to break the deadlock, Jake Spedding the try scorer.  Rovers were just putting together a solid patch of good ball play when the hooter sounded, another minute may well have resulted in a different half time score line. Rovers trailed at the break with Junior Moors' try and subsequent Craig Hall conversion being the only points on the board.

An arm-wrestle ensued for the first fifteen minutes of the second half.  With fifty-four minutes gone, last play of the set, Ford passed out to Smith who placed a beautifully weighted kick into the corner, the kick was tapped back by the leaping Gareth Gale into the waiting arms of Connor Jones who pushed over the whitewash for the first score of the second half.  Hall put the conversion just wide to leave Rovers trailing by two. three minutes later, Rovers went back-to-back as Johnathon Ford skipped through the Widnes defence to put Brian McDermott's side into the lead. Despite Hall hitting the woodwork with the conversion, Rovers seemed to be taking a hold of the game and seemed sure to go over when Jake Spedding intercepted Ford's pass to the left edge, Spedding was able to just edge out the trailing Connor Jones. The game hung in the balance with the lead switching back to the hosts.  Cue Josh Hardcastle who took a flat pass to power through to regain the lead.  Hall added the conversion to make it a four-point game. There was a tense finale as both sides threatened to go over again but Rovers will take solace in a gutsy and determined effort that could quite easily have gone the other way.