For the second time this year Whitehaven were denied a win at Widnes by a late score and had to settle for a draw.
The first occasion didn’t matter so much as it was a pre-season friendly but this one cost Haven back-to-back away wins.
After a splendid win at York City Knights Jonty Gorley’s men were in prime position to follow-up only to be denied by a converted try two minutes from the end.
It finished 28-28 after Haven had led for the bulk of the contest, 18-16 ahead at the break and with a six point advantage going into the closing stages.
Whitehaven had gone in front on 14 minutes when Will Evans intercepted a Tom Gilmore pass and sent Jake Maizen in for the try which Lachlan Hanneghan converted.
Widnes cut the gap on 17 minutes when a cut-out pass from Jack Owens allowed Mike Butt to dive over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Whitehaven scored their second try after 24 minutes when the forwards drove down the middle and Hanneghan finished off well, also adding the extras.
The Cumbrians continued to have the better of things and it took some stout Widnes defence to keep them out.
Having weathered the storm the Vikings hit back with a try on the half hour. A little kick from Gilmore came back off a Whitehaven body and Jordan Johnstone profited by taking the rebound to score. Gilmore converted.
Haven went behind briefly on 34 minutes when Joe Lyons did really well to put Sam Wilde in and Gilmore’s conversion gave the Vikings a 16-12 lead.
Back roared Whitehaven and two minutes before half-time Maizen streaked down the wing to grab his second try which Hanneghan converted for an 18-16 lead.
Within three minutes of the re-start Maizen had completed his hat-trick when he followed-up a kick over the top to collect and score with Hanneghan adding the extras.
It was looking really good for Haven on 53 minutes when another cut-out pass was intercepted by Evans who sent Edene Gebbie streaking almost the full length to score but crucially the kick was missed.
The Widnes recovery started on 64 minutes when Matty Fozard went over from dummy half and Gilmore added the conversion.
Magnificent defence from Haven held the Vikings until the 79th minute when a clever reverse pass from Gilmore put Owens in for his 100th career try and Gilmore’s conversion tied the game.
