WIDNES EDGE OUT PARK

Although it was a typically close fought derby fixture which went right down to the wire, the game was generally missing any real outstanding highlights, and there were far too many general mistakes and self-inflicted errors to mark it down as a classic.

Either way though, the ‘red-and-blacks’ will just be happy to have found their way over the finishing line and into the semi-finals.

The weather for the game was damp and overcast with the threat of rain ever hanging in the air alongside an awkward chilly South East wind. The sun also made a brief cameo appearance but failed to lift the general gloom that was present on the pitch throughout much of the eighty minutes.

Nevertheless, it has to be remembered, that the Wids did get the job done, and they now wait patiently in the wings to see who and where they will play next.

Park got the game underway and were soon camped out in the Widnes quarter, where ultimately they were to remain for much of the first half.

During the opening quarter, the home spurned three of four chances to put some points on the board, but instead chose to go for the jugular and score a try.

This tactic would eventually cost them as the visitors finally made their way downfield, where some smart work from Alex Jones saw the winger crash over for a try in the corner.

After that, the visitors came under some real intense pressure as Park sought a way back into the contest.

In the main, their scrambling defence held firm. That was until they had two men sent to the sin-bin in quick succession, which ultimately led to stand-off Liam Hill slicing his way through to score a try which was converted by full-back Unsworth.

That proved to be the last action of the half, with the home side going in at the break leading by a narrow 2-point margin.

Widnes made a couple of changes and re-organised themselves at half-time, and those changes were immediately effective as they quickly regained the upper hand again when Andy Owens converted a penalty. Two minutes later, the same player then missed with a speculative long-range drop goal attempt.

After that, it was Park’s turn, and a well struck penalty from Unsworth put the home side back in front once more.

Some good work from scrum half Bobby Finch then earned the Wids a further penalty, and Owens was again on hand to regain the lead for his side once again.

After 65 minutes, Widnes then missed a three-pointer, before Mike Jones and Tom Spencer combined to make in-roads into the Park danger zone.

Although that opportunity was missed, it did eventually come right for the visitors as Allan Breeden raced clear and over the line to score a five pointer.

That should really have been enough. But Widnes messed up at the restart allowing Park to respond immediately with a try from close range to make it game on again.

With just a point in it, all eyes were now on the difficult conversion attempt from wide out, which if successful, would put the home side back in the lead with not much time left.

As it was, the kick was wide of the target, and Widnes were able to clear their lines and hold their nerve in those closing few moments to finally claim victory.

Head coach Andy McIntosh said afterwards "In a cup game it’s all about winning and getting over the line.

Today it was about just that - for long periods of the game we defended, we were down on bodies, and then when we got the ball we made too many unforced errors to put West Park under any sustained pressure.

It was very stop start throughout the 80 minutes and it was the defensive effort that got us over the line, along with showing some quality to finish two opportunist tries when they came along.

The lads are very pleased to get a scrappy away win and go into the next round”.

Widnes: A Owens, A Jones, J Patient, R Millington, T Spencer, K Leadbetter, B Finch, A Haydock, P Makles, S Whitty, M Garrity, J Gilhooley, T O’Neill (c), A Breeden, M Jones. Reps: B Mercer, A Watson, C Feeley, S Bryan, L Lawton