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

As with all these matches, the main aim is to allow the coaches the opportunity to run the rule over their respective squads, and fine tune all of the hard work that has been going on the training paddock.

The 'red-and-blacks' were able to select a large squad of players for the game, to give themselves the maximum selection headache possible ahead of this Saturday’s first league match against Kirkby Lonsdale.

There was a first outing for Carl Strickson at scrum half, who had previously spent time at Red Rocks last season. Jack Krause was again included as he continues his return to full match fitness following a nightmare spell with injury.

The weather for the game was a mixture of weak autumn sunshine and cloudy skies, whilst there was a stiff breeze blowing straight down the pitch.

As expected, and with local bragging rights at stake, both teams really tested each other out during the opening quarter of the match.

Tom O’Neill made a great start with a couple of strong runs and booming tackles, but it was Park who struck first as a lovely inside pass sent outstanding fullback Morgan racing through to score, with the conversion also going over.

Dan Rourke and Ed Price continued to look lively for the visitors, but the team continued to be wasteful in possession and several try scoring opportunities went begging.

Finally, on the half hour mark, things did come right for the Wids, and following another run from Price, Liam Lawton was on hand to skip his way over the line for a try.

Liam McGovern then added the conversion to square things up at 7 – 7.

Building upon that momentum, the Widnes forwards got to work close to the line for Keiron Arndell to plunge over for a converted score to make it 7 – 14.

Almost immediately, though, and on the stroke of half time, Park capitalised on a Widnes mistake from the restart, and Liam Hill was on hand to collect and stride clear to the line for a try.

That left the game evenly poised once again, with the visitors leading by just two points.

Both sides made changes at the break, but that late try meant that it was Park who had theirs tails up during the opening second half exchanges, with the Widnes defensive line having to respond in kind.

A key moment in the game for the visitors arrived after 52 minutes, when a super 50:20 touch finder from Liam McGoven, suddenly turned defence into attack from where the pack got to work, allowing Tom O’Neill to pick up and barge his way over the line for a try.

McGovern’s well struck conversion from wide out into the teeth of the keen breeze meant that Widnes now held a two-score advantage.

Not for the first time, Widnes should then have scored again, but instead it was Park who responded as centre Shum scored a fine individual effort to narrow the gap to just four points.

With just a few minutes left, Widnes continued to overplay the situation and put pressure on themselves. But finally, they were able to re-group, go through the phases in the right area of the field, before Liam Lawton crossed for his second try to make the game safe.

Park almost had the last word though, as a diagonal cross kick to the corner just failed to find its way into the hands of the Park wing man as the wide open try line beckoned.

Head coach Liam McGovern said afterwards “Today was ideal preparation for the business games which start next week.

Going to West Park is always tricky, but I thought we were well worth our victory.

We left at least four tries on the pitch which is obviously an area we need to improve upon on, but in conclusion today sets us up nicely for an exciting season ahead.”

Widnes: J Salter, J Krause, A Mather, L Lawton, G Hatton, L McGovern, C Strickson, M Garrity, A Menia, D Rourke, S Bryan, C Lawton, E Price, C Feeley, T O’Neill. Reps: P Makles, K Arndell, R Hamlett, J Percival, W Patient, J Argent, A Glover.