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York Knights earned a spot in the Betfred Championship Semi-Final after a hard-fought win against Widnes Vikings at the LNER Community Stadium, with a hat-trick from Tom Lineham, as well as tries from Liam Harris and Jesse Dee.
The Vikings started the game on the front foot; They won a penalty 5 minutes in in front of the posts, which Gilmour converted to put Widnes two up.
The Knights struck back quickly however, with a good offload from Williams finding Lineham, who touched down in the corner. The following goal attempt was just short.
Widnes would tie the score fifteen minutes in, with Gilmour scoring the goal after being awarded a penalty in front of the posts due to a high tackle.
The Knights would retake the lead in the 29th minute though through Joe Law, who was found in the left corner from another short Williams offload; With Williams also adding the following goal.
Just on the stroke of half-time, Widnes made a break down the right wing, and Rhodri Lloyd found a gap in the York defence to force his way over the line.
Gilmoure's conversion on the hooter tied the game, leaving both sides with all to play for in the second-half.
After a close first-half, the Knights began to put the pressure on Widnes from early on;
An awkwardly bouncing Harris grubber kick was put out of play by the Vikings for a goal-line drop out in a promising area just 10m out.
The Knights capitalised on this opportunity, with Hingano's a short offload under pressure finding Lineham, who dived over the line to touch down in the corner. The following goal was once again put away by Williams.
Shortly after, Liam Harris added a drop goal from a few metres out in front of the posts, tightening the score to 17-10.
Jesse Dee was next to cross over the line for the Knights, with a spectacular 61st minute solo effort that saw him make 40m and cross over the tryline, the Vikings defence unable to catch up to him.
Williams added the goal from in front of the posts.
Just two minutes later, Lineham completed his hat trick, adding another try in the corner with just a quarter of an hour left, securing a hard fought play-off win against a strong Widnes side.
The Knights play either Toulouse or Wakefield next weekend, with the team depending on the winner of the Bradford Bulls v Featherstone Rovers game.
York:Â Williams, Brown, Field, Law, Lineham, Hingano, Harris, Thompson, Cook, Taâai, Dee, Bailey, Cunningham
Subs (all used):Â Teanby, Santi, Michael, Daley
18th Player:Â Jubb
Tries: Lineham (17, 47, 65), Law (28), Dee (61)
Goals: Williams (3/5)
Drop Goals: Harris (57)
Widnes:Â Owens, Butt, Bardsley-Rowe, Fleming, Ince, Lyons, Gilmoure, Bent, Fozard, Murray, Lloyd, Lannon, Field
Subs: Johnstone, Kirk, Roberts, Reilly
18th Player:Â Green
Tries: Lloyd (38)
Goals: Gilmour (3/3)
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