May 19, 2017

Match Preview – Widnes Vikings v Wakefield Trinity

Wakefield Trinity kick-off the 2017 Dacia Magic Weekend this Saturday when they take on Widnes Vikings at St James’ Park, Newcastle at 2:30pm.

It will be the second time that we have faced Widnes this season, the first fixture saw Chris Chester’s men come out victorious with a 30-4 win at the Beaumont Legal Stadium.

Our opponents however did come out on top against Trinity in two of the three meetings we had in 2016, so it promises to be an interesting encounter.

Wakefield will be confident heading into the fixture following back-to-back Super League wins against Catalans and Leigh, which was followed by another victory in the Challenge Cup against Dewsbury.

Widnes have been struggling for form recently, losing their previous three fixtures, however they will take positives from the performance in their 34-20 defeat to Warrington in the Challenge Cup last weekend.

The 2016 Magic Weekend will offer great memories for Trinity. Jacob Miller’s 50-metre drop goal helped Wakefield edge past Catalans 25-24 in what was one of the highlights of the event. Whereas Widnes will be hoping to make amends for their defeat to Salford in the event last year.

Chris Chester has named three changes to the squad that dispatched Dewsbury Rams in round six of the Challenge Cup last week. Jordan Crowther, Ashley Gibson and Anthony Walker come out of the squad.

Craig Huby, Ben Jones-Bishop and captain Danny Kirmond were rested last week during the cup tie against Dewsbury, all three return for the fixture against the Vikings this weekend.

Due to a large amount of injuries, Widnes head coach Dave Betts has named eight changes to the side that lost to Warrington in last week’s Challenge Cup tie. Patrick Ah van, Sam Brooks, Ted Chapelhow, Joe Mellor, Tom Olbison, Lloyd Roby, Danny Walker and Liam Walsh all come out of the squad.

Loan-signings Rangi Chase, Jack Johnson and Samuel Wilde could make their first appearances for the club, whiles Edward Chamberlain, Alex Gerrard, Chris Houston, Ryan Ince and Lloyd White also return.

Trinity 19-man squad: Tinirau Arona, Joe Arundel, Matty Ashurst, James Batchelor, Mason Caton-Brown, Anthony England, David Fifita, Liam Finn, Scott Grix, Keegan Hirst, Craig Huby, Ben Jones-Bishop, Danny Kirmond, Reece Lyne, Jacob Miller, Mikey Sio, Bill Tupou, Sam Williams, Kyle Wood.

Widnes 19-man squad: Jack Buchanan, Greg Burke, Hep Cahill, Ed Chamberlain, Jay Chapelhow, Rangi Chase, Gil Dudson, Alex Gerrard, Rhys Hanbury, Aaron Heremaia, Chris Houston, Ryan Ince, Jack Johnson, Jordan Johnstone, Manase Manuokafoa, Eamon O’Carroll, Charly Runciman, Lloyd White, Sam Wilde.

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