Vikings claim Northern Rail Cup

Barrow (8) 18
Tries: Luisi, Nixon, Kaighan Goals: Holt 3
Widnes (22) 34
Tries: Fletcher, Duffy, Penny 2, Kohe-Love, Varkulis Goals: Hall 5

Widnes claimed the Northern Rail Cup for the second time in three years with a 34-18 victory over Barrow Raiders.

Loan players Kevin Penny and Craig Hall were key for the Vikings, with Penney scoring two of his side's six tries and Hall kicking five goals.

Barrow held a 8-6 lead at Bloomfield Road but lost control of the match in the 10 minutes up to half time.

Victory means the Vikings are eligible to submit an application for a three-year Super League licence in 2011.

They missed out to Salford and Celtic Crusaders last time around.

Sunday's final began with the sin-binning of front row players Jim Gannon, of Widnes, and Barrow's Brett McDermott.

The Raiders took the lead through a Darren Holt penalty in the seventh minute, but Widnes second row Richard Fletcher scored the first try, crossing the line after a slick inside pass from Anthony Thackray.

Zeb Luisi made the score even on 26 minutes with a solo try before Holt's conversion edged Barrow back in front.

But John Duffy set Widnes on their way to victory when he crossed from dummy-half.

606: DEBATE

Good game but something of a mismatch really

HailThePocketRocket

Warrington's Penny then struck with his brace, first from following a kick into the corner by James Webster and then by getting himself on the end of a pass from Hall, although there were suspicions that the decisive offload was forward.

Hall, on loan from Hull KR, added a third goal before the break to make it 22-8.

Barrow wing James Nixon hit back with a try at the start of the second half, but it was cancelled out by Toa Kohe-Love's try on the hour mark.

The Cumbrians again breached the Widnes tryline through substitute Scott Kaighan, but it was merely a consolation and was answered by a score by Vikings centre Richard Varkulis.

Widnes coach Paul Cullen:

"It was rough and tough and one or two got a bit giddy early on but our players didn't take a backward step. All the players stuck to the game plan religiously.

"The loan situation is working well for us. Steve Pickersgill has been a revelation, so has Craig Hall and so has Kevin Penny.

"They just want to play. We've given them an opportunity and they have taken it. It's been good for all concerned."

Barrow coach Dave Clark:

"We gave too many penalties and allowed Widnes to get into our half too easily and put pressure on our line.

"Everyone was still positive at half-time, it was just mistakes that let us down in key areas of the field. But we're second in the competition with seven games to go and there is still a lot to play for. I'm sure the boys will take a lot out of today.

"It was a pretty proud moment - 26 years since our last final - and I'm sure they will want this again."

Barrow: Broadbent, Larkin, Bauer, Harrison, Nixon, L. Finch, Holt, McDermott, Ellis, Bracek, Ostler, Noone, Lucky Luisi.
Replacements: Young, Butler, Mossop, Kaighan.

Widnes: Dodd, Gaskell, Kohe-Love, Hall, Penny, Thackeray, Webster, Pickersgill, Smith, Gannon, Varkulis, Fletcher, Morrison.
Replacements: Duffy, Doran, Hartley, Kavanagh.

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven).

Attendance: 8,720.