Widnes Vikings defeat Salford Red Devils after late Craven drop goal
Last Updated: 26/07/15 8:20pm
Danny Craven's drop goal a minute from time secured a 21-20 victory for Widnes against Salford to secure them an extra home game in the qualifiers.
The match between two of the regular season strugglers at the Select Security Stadium looked to be ending in a draw until Craven slotted over a minute from time to secure ninth place in the Super League table.
Widnes went into the game on a poor run of form, having lost six of their last seven matches, and they struggled to impose themselves in the opening encounters.
In contrast, the Red Devils began brightly and scored the opening try after softening up the opposition defence with three repeat sets on the Widnes line.
Rangi Chase played a kick into the danger-zone and Niall Evalds took advantage to cross under the posts, with Josh Griffin adding the conversion.
The home side battled back though, taking advantage after Griffin was penalised for a high tackle on Rhys Hanbury to allow Chris Clarkson to nip over - Stefan Marsh adding the extras as the rain lashed down.
But Betts' side failed to build on that, falling behind again when they conceded another penalty on their own line as Evalds was obstructed, allowing Cory Patterson to score a try that Griffin once again majored to leave the Red Devils 12-6 ahead at the break.
Sloppy
Further sloppy play from Widnes saw them concede a penalty after the restart when Paterson was on the receiving end of a high tackle from Macgraff Leuluai, which Griffin slotted over before the hosts fought back.
Joe Mellor and Aaron Heremaia combined well in the build-up to send winger Paddy Flynn in for a try but Salford refused to be dictated to.
Chase continued to pull the strings and having run 60m after charging down a kick, his hard work allowed Scott Taylor to score on the next set, Griffin securing the extra two points.
A see-sawing encounter moved crucially back in the Vikings’ favour 15 minutes from time when a superb pass from Tom Gilmore allowed Marsh to cross from close in before converting his own try.
A mix-up in the Salford defence then allowed Heremaia to dab down but Marsh missed his conversion from a tight angle to leave the scores tied at 20-20.
Michael Dobson missed his drop goal attempt for Salford, with a draw enough to secure 9th place for Widnes and with it a fourth home match in the post-regular season qualifiers.
Craven had to leave the field in a daze earlier in the game after play was halted for several minutes when he was injured in a tackle.
The fullback had the final say though, his late intervention meaning Widnes finished the regular campaign with a confidence-boosting win to condemn the Red Devils to 11th place in the table, meaning they will play only three home matches in the upcoming qualifiers.
