1st XV
Matches
Sat 02 Feb 2019  ·  ADM Premier Division
Widnes RUFC
1st XV
38
5
Trafford MV
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Stephen Clark2 Feb 2019 - 23:17
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https://www.widnesrufc.com/tea

While other clubs were left twiddling their thumbs because of the Baltic like conditions, the dedicated Widnes ground staff worked miracles to get this game on.

And, they were rewarded with another vital bonus point victory, which helped lift their side to the top of the summit with just three rounds of the competition left.

The game itself was never a classic, but at this stage of the season it didn’t have to be. This one was all about securing the win – with the bonus point - and piling the pressure on the clubs immediately beneath them.

The home side got the game underway but were soon back in possession of the football.

They could have had an early score, but Andy Owens pass to Aaron Duggan was judged forward as the second row man raced clear.

However, they were not going to be denied for long though, as a quick tap and break was finished off in style by Kevin Leadbetter after just seven minutes.

The visitors weren’t really helping themselves in those early exchanges, with a number of unforced errors handing back the advantage to the red-and-blacks who were more than happy to accept the invitation.

After second-row man Duggan was denied again, it was left to the pack to quickly recycle the ball and release wing man Gavin Hatton who raced in just to the side of the posts for their second try of the afternoon which was goaled by Andy Owens.

The home side continued to have much the better of the half, and another try never looked that far away despite them not always firing on all cylinders. Indeed, that score did come following more smart, quick work which freed up Josh Paton who had enough pace and strength to get over in the corner.

Andy Owens then booted over a magnificent touchline conversion to increase his side’s advantage to 19 points.

Finally, Trafford were able to make some headway deep into the Widnes quarter, but at this point they were lacking any kind of real cutting edge in attack, and the home side were comfortably able to deal with anything that the visitors had to offer.

In their quest to try and get the job done in double quick time, the final ten minutes of the half all looked a bit messy, and the home side spurned at least three or four decent try scoring opportunities.

Nevertheless, it did all come right in the final minute of the half, as Josh Paton got on the outside of his opposite number to score his second try of the afternoon and secure that vital additional bonus point for his team.

With ace marksman Andy Owens again on target with the conversion, the Wids were able to go in at half time leading by 26pts – nil.

The red-and-blacks reshuffled their line up at the start of the second period, and were soon rewarded again after just ten minutes with a penalty try after man of the match Josh Paton was taken out with a high shot which also earned the Trafford men a ten minute stint in the sin-bin.

An 80 metre interception from Ryan Millington almost paid dividends as the centre raced clear, and this was followed by another missed opportunity as Josh Kenyon’s pin point chip through just failed to find Josh Salter with the line wide open.

The next score wasn’t long in coming though, as elusive full back Andy Owens forced his way for a try which made it 38 – 0.

The final ten minutes of the piece then produced a flurry of activity with a Widnes man being shown a red card following a midfield scuffle. The visitors were then finally rewarded as number eight Feldman crashed over for a try from close range, before it was their turn to see red with a player being dismissed from the field in the closing moments.

Head coach Andy McIntosh said afterwards “We worked hard on getting today’s game on and the lads were well up for it from the very start. It’s another win and we went about our business in the right way – very convincing. To see us control the game in that manner was good. Trafford are a strong team whom we meet again at the end of the year”.

He continued “We go top of the league after being the only game on, and we look forward to our next challenge. This year is going to go all the way, but the lads are well up for what lies ahead for the remainder of the season”.

Match details

Match date

Sat 02 Feb 2019

Kickoff

14:15

Competition

ADM Premier Division

League position

1
Widnes
7
Trafford MV
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

League sponsor - ADM
Club Sponsor - Boydell Sports
Advertiser - Cheshire Bathrooms and Tiles
Advertiser - David M Robinson
Match sponsor - Enzo-CCA
Match sponsor - ESL Electromech
Club Sponsor - Gerrard O'Donnell
Advertiser - Heineken
Club Sponsor - John Geddes (Cycles) Ltd
Club Sponsor - Landscape World
Club Sponsor - Law 4 All
Club Sponsor - Michael C Adams
Club sponsor - Merseyflow
 Match Sponsor - Morbaine Properties Ltd
Match Sponsor - North West Contracts
Advertiser - O'Neills