Widnes Vikings have brushed aside title favourites Toulouse Olympique in an impressive, if somewhat controversial, start to the new Championship campaign.
Toulouse Olympique, last season’s runners-up to Wakefield, return to the Championship and begin their season at home to Widnes.
TO led by eight points at the end of the final quarter but tries from Matt Fleming and Ryan Lannon ultimately secured victory, although the hosts thought they had done enough to earn at least a point late on.
It was the Black and Whites’ first win across the Channel in five years.
Allan Coleman’s boys cruised to an 18-14 victory over Toulouse Olympique in the south of France on Saturday.
Toulouse struggled to find their footing but managed to contain their opponents in the opening quarter. Widnes, inspired by Dec Patton and surrounded by strong support, finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute.
The hosts were unable to defend a 15-metre scrum as a quick counter-attack from Patton caught the French defence off guard and centre Max Roberts burst forward unopposed to score just to the right of the posts.
Toulouse equalised and added a penalty just before half-time to lead 8-6.
The score was made 14-6 in the 56th minute when former Vikings player Olly Ashley-Bott crossed for the French side.
But five minutes later, Matt Fleming’s converted try left the Vikings just two points behind, setting the stage for Lannon to deliver the final blow.
The French team were on top and looked in control, but the Vikings’ fightback began when second-row Rhodri Lloyd provided the perfect pass down the left where centre Fleming, with plenty of space, headed towards the line.
A brilliant conversion from Gilmore from outside reduced the gap to just two points and, with eleven minutes remaining, Lannon crashed under the posts as a tired defence failed to catch Patton’s inside pass. Gilmore made the easy shot before the late controversy.
Olympique coach Sylvain Houles was disappointed with the result: « We had chances but the mistakes cost us dearly. »
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