It wasn’t, perhaps, the greatest of games, but it was important that the men from Heath Road got their show on the road again in readiness for the many challenges that lie ahead starting with Saturday’s North One West league opener.

The weather for this opener was sunny but with a tricky strong diagonal breeze blowing across the pitch which was firm underfoot and ideal for free flowing rugby.

Not that that really transpired many times throughout the game which was mainly a stop-start affair throughout for any number of reasons.

The visitors were off to a great start after just five minutes, when winger Tom Spencer crossed wide out for a try after good work from the Wids backline in a move covering some 50 metres. The tricky conversion attempt was narrowly wide of the target and the score remained at 0 – 5.

After an exciting half break from Josh Kenyon, Tyldesley then had a long spell of pressure close to the Widnes line but they were unable to break down a strong defensive line.

Widnes rotated their squad by bringing on both Arnie Haydock and Mark Field, and when the visitors lost a player into the sin bin, Tyldesley were able to respond by converting the penalty to make the score 3 – 5 after 25 minutes.

Just moments later, though, Widnes were able to respond in fine style as Josh Kenyon’s long pass found its way into the hands of Mark Field, who showed both pace and vision as he sidestepped his way inside the cover from long range to score a try close enough to the posts for Kevin Leadbetter to convert.

Back came Tyldesley though, and helped along by a succession of penalties, ended the half in the Widnes quarter, but more solid defence from the visitors kept them at bay for the remainder of the half.

Widnes looked brighter at the start of the second period, but it was Tyldesley who had the first opportunity to put points on the board, but the penalty attempt was wide of the mark.

Highlights were becoming few and far between, but there was one moment of excellence when Kenyon’s inside pass found the supporting Dave Welsh who made a long range break. This was followed by another run from captain Paul O’Connor whose out of hand kick back inside just went dead.

With 11 minutes left, Tyldesley then added a second penalty to get them within a converted try of the lead and possible victory. But, with their tails up, they failed to really try and press home their advantage by then opting to take another kick at goal rather than going for the try that potentially would have given them victory. Instead, the kick was missed and with it probably their chance of victory.

Although they were able to attack again, Widnes were able to pinch possession from a scrum close to their own line, and, turning defence into attack through Paul O’Connor were able to finish the game in style with a match winning try from newcomer debutant Keiron Arndell who had a great game throughout the contest.

Players worthy of note on debut were Lewis Whitty and youngster Tom O’Neill, followed by many of the other youngsters currently beginning to make a name for themselves - Mitch Dyas, Andrew Preston and Josh Kenyon. There was also a welcome return to action for both Martyn Stubbs and Tom Farmer.

Photographs courtesy of Dave Balmer DRB Photos.