But what a determined effort they put in against a side who have been in great form this season and looking like the team who will be promoted at the end of the campaign.

The Wids went into the game low on confidence on the back of a poor showing in their previous outing against Douglas (IOM). They were also missing more than a handful of players through injury, whilst they also had several others who were playing out of position. Not only that, they also had two youngsters – Alfie Rourke and Alfie Leyland – who were both making their senior debuts on the bench.

So, overall, their prospects were not looking good. However, what a performance they turned in, showing guts and determination throughout, and narrowly missing out on what would have been a much-deserved losing bonus point when the final kick of the match hit the upright and bounced out.

It means then, that after achieving promotion last season, the senior XV have secured a 50%-win ratio from their twelve games thus far to sit in seventh place in the division, a record they would quite happily have settled for at the start of the campaign.

It also means that their first two matches of 2025 against Winnington Park and Eccles now take on added significance when rugby returns in early January.

Unsurprisingly, the home side set off like a house on fire and immediately took the game to their opponents, playing a quick and expansive style of rugby and looking to establish an early break through. However, the Wids defence was strong and resilient in the opening quarter, and not even a mounting penalty count could deter their efforts.

It was the visitors who then struck back to take the lead after 15 minutes, when they were able to respond in style after shaking free from their defensive shackles to cut loose from distance. Tom Spencer made the initial break before handing on to Jack Krause, who returned the pass before finding Charlie Feeley in support who finished things off in style with a great try.

Widnes then suffered a blow as Jack Krause was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury to be replaced by Matty Walker.

The home side then had a ‘try’ ruled out because of a forward pass, but were later able to finally get their noses in front after 35 minutes, when stand-off James Ratcliffe dummied his way over for a try which he then converted to make it 7 – 5.

Soon afterwards, the ‘red-and-blacks’ were able to make their way downfield once again, from where Josh Salter converted a well struck penalty in the blustery conditions to give the visitors a narrow 8 – 7 half time lead.

After earlier losing Mike Jones, Widnes also lost prop forward Arnie Haydock with a neck injury, soon to be followed by Josh Salter, and whilst they were in the process of re-adjusting their line-up, the home were able to hit them hard with a double whammy through Lloyd and Owen Davies and two Ratcliffe conversions to ease them into a more comfortable 21 – 8 advantage.

At this point, the Wids could easily have folded, but they did not, and instead took the fight back to the home side.

In the closing minutes, and with the Widnes forwards piling on the pressure, the home side then had a player despatched into the sin-bin, before Jacob Harris’ chip ahead was swooped upon by Nathan Chandler who touched down for his first try in senior colours.

With time up on the clock, all eyes were now on the touchline conversion attempt which, if successful, would have given the Wids at least some reward for their efforts. Despite the difficult blustery conditions, the well struck effort from wide out hit the upright and bounced away to deny them what would have been a deserved losing bonus point.

Head coach Andy McIntosh said afterwards “We are very proud of the lads’ efforts today full of spirit and passion. A few marginal decisions never quite went our way at key points during the match which left us frustrated, but the lads battled all day long. That was a tough game of rugby today for both sides played throughout with great desire.

We certainly did it the hard way losing three players to injury during the game, and with quite a few call ups to the team this week and with two more young lads on debut they stood up, gave their all and it is great experience which won’t come any tougher than today.

It was disappointing not to get a bonus point, but the lads should reflect on this first half of the season, be proud of our efforts to date and learn from our shortcomings to come back stronger.

There is plenty to be positive about going into 2025 for all three open age teams, and we will kick on into the rest of the season after enjoying the Christmas break”

Widnes: J Krause, J Harris, C Feeley, T Spencer, N Chandler, J Salter, G Hatton, A Haydock, P Makles, S Whitty, M Garrity, K Arndell, M Jones, W Patient, T O’Neill. Reps: A Rourke, A Leyland, M Walker.