WIDNES WIN AGAIN

Despite their unbeaten run, the visitors were given an almighty fright by the Manchester outfit who offered plenty during the game apart from two mini purple patches in either half that saw the Wids run in four tries to secure another valuable victory.

In the end, though, this game was all about the win, and to summarise briefly that despite the performance, the red-and-blacks can not have done any more than grab another five points as they approach their final two league games of the campaign.

With the exception of a stiff, chilly breeze that was blowing down the pitch, the weather was almost perfect for the game as kick off time approached.

The early exchanges saw both teams make their way into their opponents 22 metre area, but it was the visitors who drew blood first when Arnie Haydock collected a loose kick before making yards and then handing on to Josh Paton who scythed through the Aldwinians defence to score close to the posts.

Andy Owens added the conversion to make the score 0 – 7.

It was then to get even better for the visitors just five minutes later, when more, smart, quick and crisp handling, saw Liam Lawton release Gavin Hatton who scored on the opposite flank to increase their lead.

Owens was again on target with the conversion meaning that the away team’s advantage had now gone up to fourteen points.

After that, though, it all seemed to go a bit pear-shaped for the red-and-blacks. Their shape and composure seemed to go walkabout, and they managed to get dragged into a real in-your-face forward battle which wasn’t helped when they had a man sent to the sin-bin after 20 minutes.

Despite that, there was still the odd additional opportunity for the Wids to add more points – particularly when Gavin Hatton raced clear down the touchline – only to be denied by an outstanding last ditch tackle.

That miss seemed to lift the home side, and eventually the pressure was to tell on the overworked Wids defence as Wade Martin scored a push over try which was goaled by James Burt.

The red-and-blacks did make their way downfield in the final minutes but were unable to add any more points, although fullback Andy Owens was unlucky to see his late penalty attempt hit the upright and bounce clear.

If the visitors were to re-establish themselves in this contest then it would require cool, calm heads. But, for a while at least, it was the home side who continued to hold the upper hand.

With the pressure continuing, Widnes did receive a huge let off when Burt missed with an easy penalty attempt from straight in front of the posts which would have reduced the arrears to just four points and maintained his side’s forward momentum.

Instead, though, the visitors were able to make their way upfield and capitalise on a routine handling mistake in defence allowing Jamie Patient to wriggle his way through the Aldwinians defence and over the line for a welcome third try which was goaled by Andy Owens.

Just three minutes later, it was to get even better for the Wids, as more smart handling got Josh Paton over for his second try which Owens was again able to convert to open up a fourteen point advantage once more.

That really should have been enough to get the visitors over the finishing line, but the home side had no intention of throwing in the towel, and they were soon back onto the offensive and deep in the Widnes half once again.

Despite some outstanding scrambling defence, the Wids line was breached once again after 62 minutes when Andrew Ormrod crossed for a try which was goaled by James Burt.

Finally, after absorbing a whole pile of pressure, Widnes were able to break free of their defensive shackles, but their decision to over-elaborate on attack almost ended with another try for their opponents at the opposite end of the field.

More pressure followed but this was matched by yet more big Wids defence and a timely interception from Liam Lawton which denied the home side.

The final few minutes of the game saw the home side throwing caution to the wind in an effort to find a way back into the contest, but as they tried to force the pace they came up with a couple of unforced errors which allowed the visitors to clear their lines and go on to complete the job in hand.

Head coach Andy McIntosh said afterwards “I am really happy with the result although we were far from our best. We started off really well but then brought a lot of pressure on ourselves by conceding too many penalties which offered them good field position”

He continued “Our defence was very good again and kept them out later on in the game. In the end, though it was another win, which keeps up the pressure at the top of the table”.