Job Done

And they did it in some style, running in five first half tries along with four conversions to get their New Year off to the very best of starts.

Understandably, they were a bit rusty after a three week lay-off, but the result will have lifted their spirits and confidence ahead of a tough sequence of fixtures, commencing with a home game against Didsbury Toc H this weekend.

For the home team, however, this will have been another disappointing result as they look to claw themselves away from the foot of the table well before the end of season scramble.

In contrast to the weather of late, conditions for the game were bright and sunny with no wind, but there was little warmth on offer, and it remained freezing cold throughout.

Despite the enforced lay-off, both teams began the game well, with Bolton having much of the early possession, and Widnes being forced to show their defensive qualities.

The first score came after just six minutes, when the Wids forwards laid the platform for their backs to attack from distance which allowed full-back Andy Clarke to show a clean pair of heels on a forty-metre dash to the line for a try.

The same player then added the conversions to give the visitors a seven-point lead.

Five minutes later, stand-off Luke McMahon booted over an excellent long-range penalty for the home team to reduce the deficit to just four points.

The same player then had a further opportunity with another difficult kick from distance, but this time the effort was narrowly wide of the mark.

Andy Clarke then made another break for the Wids which ended with a Bolton man being despatched to the sin-bin. And when the ball was switched smartly to the opposite flank, wing man Jack Krause was on hand for an easy walk-in try behind the posts.

Clarke was once again on target with the conversion to increase his side’s lead to 14pts – 3 lead.

After that, a Wids purple patch – which saw them score three tries in quick succession in the run up to half-time - saw them ease the game – and the result – away from the home side.

First, some super combination play from the centre pairing of Liam Lawton and Jamie Patient, ended with the former racing 30 metres to score the ‘red-and-blacks’ third try of the afternoon, which was again goaled by Clarke.

Moments later, Lawton used both vision and pace to kick ahead before calmly regaining possession to touch down for his second try, which also provided the team with that crucially needed additional bonus point.

Then, as the clock entered the final minute of the half, some quick thinking from a penalty sent wing man Gavin Hatton racing clear to score his side’s fifth try, again goaled by Clarke, to give the visitors an unassailable 33 – 3 half-time lead.

By comparison, the second half was lacking in any real major highlights, littered with a number of yellow cards and mixed in with lots of inter-changes, a penalty try, and several other missed try scoring opportunities.

When things did finally come right, the visitors were able to add two further tries through Arnie Haydock – who scored from a well-orchestrated catch and drive move from the lineout – whilst the busy and ever-alert Mike Garrity was on hand to barge his way over following a quickly taken tap penalty.

There was one further successful conversion attempt from full-back Clarke to round off the scoring, before the official brought an end to proceedings and confirm a good day at the office for the visitors.

Head coach Andy McIntosh said afterwards “This was a great start to the year with a strong performance on our return to action.

In the first half we played some expansive and fast rugby with some well-constructed team tries. The second half never quite went how we would have liked with some excessive periods on the sidelines, being down to 12 men at one point.

Nevertheless, we managed the game out though for a comfortable away win which keeps up the pressure on the top of the table”.

Widnes: A Clarke, J Krause, J Patient, L Lawton, G Hatton, K Leadbetter (c), J Salter, D Rourke, B Mercer, M Lawton, M Garrity, S Bryan, J Gilhooley, W Patient, K Arndell. Reps: A Haydock, J Winstanley, A Jones.