WIDNES BEAT ASPULL

In conditions better suited to ducks, they had to show their championship credentials to come from behind on a couple of occasions against an outstanding Aspull side who contributed greatly to this contest.

Despite the filthy conditions, the ‘red-and-blacks scored five tries through Will Patient, Allan Breeden (2), Arnie Haydock, and Keiron Arndell, whilst the trusty boot of Kevin Leadbetter added a couple of vital conversions and a penalty.

It all now sets them up nicely for the trip to Audenshaw Park on 6th April.

Because of the heavy and persistent rain, particularly over the last few days, the game had remained in doubt. But, thanks to some seriously hard work by a group of willing volunteers, the pitch was deemed playable, and the game went ahead.

And both they, and the supporters, were treated to a real gutsy performance full of some impressive attack and defence which belied the conditions.

The home side made a great start, and some terrific support play ended with Will Patient crossing for an early try which was converted by Kevin Leadbetter.

After that, Aspull then had a player sent to the sin-bin, but rather than hinder them, they doubled down on their efforts to have much the better of the remainder of the half as the home side continued to look nervy and make mistakes.

Liam Reeve converted a penalty for the visitors after 20 minutes, before a lovely planned move sent centre David Fagan running through a huge gap to score a try between the uprights.

Reeve then added the extras to give the visitors a 10 – 7 advantage.

Five minutes later, a series of penalties put the Emu’s on the backfoot, from where quick hands sent in Allan Breeden over in the corner for a try.

As the clock counted down to half-time, Aspull had another player sent into the sin-bin, but there were no further changes to the scoreboard, and Widnes went in leading by 12pts – 10.

The Wids did have an early couple of chances right at the start of the second period, but with the errors continuing, the Emu’s were able to respond a second time – this time from distance – which ended with wing man Louis Molyneux diving over for a try in the corner.

Despite the worsening conditions, Liam Reeve then calmly slotted over the conversion from way out on the touchline to give his side a 17 – 12 advantage.

Trailing by five points, Widnes now really needed to show what they were made of if they had ambitions to turn things around and keep the Title race continuing until the final day.

And that realisation began to come true after 51 minutes, when Arnie Haydock crashed over from close range and Kevin Leadbetter converted to give them back the lead at 19 – 17.

On the hour mark, Liam Reeve just failed with a long-range penalty attempt that would have given his side back the advantage.

Instead, Widnes, led by the efforts of man of the match Mike Garrity, were able to roll up their sleeves once again, and when they made their way down field, Keiron Arndell was on hand to crash over for that all-important bonus point try.

Five minutes later, Kevin Leadbetter booted over a difficult penalty kick, meaning that Aspull now had to score twice in order to rescue the game.

Instead, Widnes were able to double down on their advantage, and when the ball was swung out to the wide left-hand side, Allan Breeden was on hand to cross in the corner for his second try to finally make the game, and the result, safe.

+ Head coach Andy McIntosh said afterwards “A fantastic performance in horrendous conditions against a strong and hard-working Aspull side.

It took an extra effort from the forwards in that second half to get us over the line tonight, after a nervy first half with too many errors. Fair play to the lads they stuck to the game plan, worked hard and as we expected this one went the full 80 minutes.

It sets us up nicely for our final league game when we visit Aldwinians next week.

A final thank you to our loyal support, and in particular the club legends who spent many hours today getting that pitch ready to play - without their commitment there would have been no game on tonight - a top team effort”.

Widnes: J Krause, T Spencer, J Patient, L Lawton, A Breeden, K Leadbetter, J Salter, M Lawton, P Makles, A Haydock, M Garrity, J Gilhooley, K Arndell, W Patient, T O’Neill (c). Reps: D Rourke, S Bryan, B McQuillan.