WIDNES BEAT WILMSLOW

They scored a total of six tries and four conversions to record a vital bonus point win, which keeps them in second spot in the table and hot-on-the-heels of league leaders Eccles with a game in hand.

The continuing dreadful wet weather meant that the fixture was seriously in danger of being called off, but thanks to the hard work of a willing band of volunteers armed with garden forks, to make sure the pitch was playable and ready for action.

So, for Widnes; the pre-amble to this one was straight forward.

Win, and they would keep their promotion hopes alive for at least another week. Lose, which would see them drop out of the promotion race, and potentially being overtaken on the league ladder by their South Manchester opponents.

As it was, the home side did secure the victory they needed, and the ‘red-and-blacks’ can now head off to Warrington on Saturday in buoyant mood.

Amidst grey skies and the ever threat of rain, Widnes got the game underway offering Wilmslow an early opportunity to get their hands on possession.

Successive penalties got the away team close in those opening exchanges, but the Wids defensive line held firm and they were able to clear the danger.

Despite the conditions, both sides continued to play an open and enterprising style in the first quarter, before the visitors managed to get their noses in front with a well struck penalty from Matthew White.

Widnes then responded with a half break from wing man Jack Krause, but several unforced errors were costing them both possession and field position.

The same could not be said for Wilmslow, who appeared to play a more controlled style of play with fewer mistakes. That was, until the 25th minute, when a glaring error in the visitor’s defence set up the opportunity for quick hands to get Widnes fullback Alex Jones reaching over to score a try.

Four minutes later, however, the Wolves were back in front once again, as White converted another well-struck penalty to make it 5 – 6.

Wilmslow then had a man sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock down, and the home side were able to take full advantage as Mike Jones crossed for a try following some quick thinking from a tap penalty.

Ultimately, that proved to be the final action of the first half, and the Wids went in at the break leading by 10pts – 6.

The home side introduced Allan Breeden and Arnie Haydock at half-time, and the changes had an immediate impact inside that first minute of the second period.

A speculative kick downfield from Alex Jones was swooped upon by wing man Jack Krause, who showed both pace and strength to catch the ball on the full, before shrugging off two would be tacklers on a thrilling forty metre dash to the line.

With Kevin Leadbetter adding the extras, the ‘red-and-blacks’ were now 17 – 6 to the good.

Then, it was Wilmslow’s opportunity to show their own Championship credentials as they came roaring back.

Barely two minutes later, wing man White scored a fine individual try – following up his own kick - before then adding a superb touchline conversion.

With the rain now starting to pour down, the same player then booted over another penalty to make it a one-point ball game at 17 – 16.

On another day, the Wids might easily have folded, but instead they re-doubled their efforts to get back into the contest.

It began with a break from centre Liam Lawton, which laid the platform for Tom O’Neill to crash over for a try from close range.

Shortly afterwards, the captain then repeated the dose, as he barged his way over the line for his second try of the afternoon.

And then, if that wasn’t enough, Keiron Arndell then crashed over the line for yet another five pointer, and make it three tries inside a ten minute purple patch.

With stand-off Kevin Leadbetter adding the extras to all three of the tries, the Wids were now out of sight at 38 – 16 and no way back for the Wolves.

Afterwards, a delighted Wids Head coach Andy McIntosh said “It was a great team effort to get the game on, and it was an outstanding effort by the lads on the pitch to take the points. In very wet and heavy conditions we played some great rugby and scored some special tries.

The team spirit was there for all to see - the defence was spot on, and the way the pack rolled the opposition up the pitch in that second half was fantastic. This was a quality collective performance, the real Wids team turned up today for the full 80 minutes and we deserved the victory after a poor showing away earlier in the year.

The coaching team are very proud of the lad’s efforts, and it was a good atmosphere in the changing room afterwards. We now must push on and really build on this performance”.

Widnes: A Jones, J Krause, J Patient, L Lawton, G Hatton, K Leadbetter, J Salter, D Rourke, B Mercer, M Lawton, M Garrity, K Arndell, M Jones, W Patient, T O’Neill (c). Reps: A Haydock, A Breeden, T Spencer.