Sheffield Eagles 30 Widnes Vikings 44: Aston indignant after award costs Sheffield

Coach Mark Aston felt the result had turned on a decision by referee Warren Turley to halt play and give the Eagles a penalty when it seemed their centre Menzie Yere was certain to score a try.

That touchdown and a possible goal would have given the Eagles a 30-18 lead. Aston said: "We got two points instead of six – it doesn't make sense to me."

A thrilling game, which also saw a mass brawl, was settled by late tries from Widnes.

Widnes took the lead with a try from Gareth Haggerty converted by Shane Grady, his first of eight goals in as many attempts.

The Eagles hit back with prop Mitch Stringer twisting over for a try then adding the goal.

Vikings took the lead with Jim Gannon's try only for the Eagles to come back with a try from Roparti, Brendon Lindsday's goal and Stringer's penalty but Widnes led at the break through Matt Gardner's try.

The second half saw the Eagles go ahead with tries from Menzie Yere and hooker Craig Cook before the referee's decision halted Mezie in his tracks.

Haggerty was put on report and the penalty gave the Eagles a 26-18 lead but either side of the brawl the visitors took the game with second tries for Gannon and Garder plus touchdowns for Anthony Thackeray and James Webster. Ropati got his second try but the Eagles were beaten.

Sheffield Eagles: Thackeray, Barnett, Yere, Ropati, Taulapapa; Lindsay, McDonald; Howieson, Cook, Stringer, Szostak, Green, Hirst. Substitutes: Corcoran, Barlow, Exton, Hepworth.

Widnes Vikings: Yates; Flynn, Varkulis, Grady, Gardner; Thackeray, Webster; Haggerty, Smith, Gannon, Farrell, Doran, Allen. Substitutes: Coyle, Kavanagh, Houghton, Davies.

Referee: Warren Turley (Leeds).