It was a great hit out for both sides ahead of the new season which is approaching rapidly upon the horizon.

The aim of these early season games is to allow the coaching staff from both teams to run the rule over their respective squads, and fine tune all of the hard work that has been happening out there on the training paddock.

For this one, the Wids were missing more than a handful of players from their squad, but it offered the players coming in an opportunity to stake an early claim and give the coaching staff a real selection headache ahead of the real action which is just around the corner.

The weather for the game was perfect, with the bright, warm sunshine attracting a bigger than usual attendance during the holiday season. Fortunately, there had also been some rain which had helped soften the previously rock-hard pitches.

Moortown were quickest out of the blocks and were able to capitalise after eight minutes when they stretched the Wids defence out wide to get over in the corner for a try, which was converted from way out on the touchline.

With the home side finding it tough to break down the ‘Town defence, the visitors were then able to capitalise on a lost ball close to their own line and cut loose from distance to add a great score to double their advantage.

From there, the home side began to claw their way back into the contest, and following a great run from Ben Mercer and Adam Menia being held up over the line, Keiron Arndell chose to take matters into his own hands and plunge over for a try from close range, which was converted by Liam McGovern.

In the run up to the break, Charlie Feeley then made a midfield dash, and whilst ‘Town remained dangerous on the counter attack, there was no further change to the scoreboard at half-time.

Having already lost two players with injury before the break, the home side opted to make several additional changes for the second half.

A spot of fisticuffs at the start of the second period earned both captain’s a few words of advice from the referee, before the home side then lost a player to the sin-bin following a high tackle.

Despite this, the game was developing into a really entertaining contest and there was some great football on show from both teams.

Widnes then had to produce some strong defence as the ‘Town pack attempted to really turn the screw, but that was diffused by a strong, relieving break down centre field from Dan Rourke, followed by another run from Charlie Feeley.

With ten minutes to go, Widnes were able to capitalise on a ‘Town error, as stand-in scrum half Lewis George, crossed for a fine individual try, which was goaled by McGovern to square things up at 14 – 14.

The visitors were not done yet though, and five minutes from the end, were able to cross for their third converted try of the game which ultimately earned them the victory in what had been a terrific opening day contest for both teams and their supporters.

Head coach Liam McGovern said afterwards “Today’s game was all about transferring our hard work from the training field into a game situation.

It was a bit of the unknown really as Widnes had never played Moortown before, and with us having so many players unavailable, it was a fantastic opportunity for lads to stake a claim in the First Team.

I was really proud of every player today especially with the number of changes we made. It was a real worthwhile hit out for us and one that will certainly stand us in good stead as we continue to build for when the competitive games start in the coming weeks.”