Report: Widnes Vikings 24-8 Barrow Raiders

Barrow Raiders suffered back-to-back defeats for just the second time this season, losing 24-8 at Widnes Vikings in Round 20 of the Betfred Championship.

The Raiders were hoping to bounce back quickly from the disappointment of last week’s home defeat to Newcastle Thunder but were unable to do so, against a Widnes side that ran in five tries to climb above Barrow in the table on points difference.

The hosts led 8-0 at half-time, opening the scoring inside 10 minutes through Nathan Connell before Jack Owens burst through to score off the back of a scrum play shortly before the break.

Paul Crarey’s side started the second half well though, and Ryan King reduced the deficit as he charged over from close range for his 13th try of the season.

But just past the hour, Connell found space and offloaded to Tim Gilmore, who went over to give the Vikings a two-score lead once again.

Curtis Teare did pull one back 13 minutes from time with a good break down the right edge, but it proved to be just a consolation.

Shortly after a fracas in the corner following a Shane Toal tip-tackle saw two from Barrow and one from Widnes sent to the sin-bin – reducing both sides to 11 after Widnes’ Jack Owens was yellow-carded a few minutes earlier – Gilmore crossed for his second then Max Roberts produced an intercept score five minutes from time to wrap up the win.

Another tough test awaits the Raiders next, with a trip to Boundary Park to face Oldham coming up on Sunday 26 July.

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WIDNES VIKINGS 24

Tries: Connell, Owens, Gilmore (2), Roberts

Goals: Richardson (2)

BARROW RAIDERS 8

Tries: King, Teare

Goals: