In what was a terrific team effort throughout – particularly the pack - they scored two tries through Kurt Riley and captain Tom O'Neil, whilst Liam McGovern added a conversion and two penalties.

The game itself was played in horrendous conditions, with heavy rain pouring down throughout the full eighty minutes, meaning that it was never going to be a classic. But this one was all about the win and finally getting their season up and running.

For 'Loo, however, this was a third straight league defeat, although they did pick up a losing bonus point for their efforts.

With no game planned for this coming weekend, the Wids can now enjoy their victory and reflect on their progress thus far.

The home side held the early advantage in terms of possession and field position, before a short bout of fisticuffs, and then a Widnes penalty got the visitors close.

And that finally pressure finally paid off after ten minutes as the Wids pack got to work which allowed prop forward Kurt Riley to crash over for a try from close range.

The conversion attempt was missed, but the Wids were now in front.

The visitors then coughed up a series of penalties to put them on the backfoot, and on the half hour mark, hooker Lloyd Davies crossed for a try which was goaled from wideout by James Ratcliffe.

Five minutes later, a ‘Loo error close to their own line offered Widnes another attacking opportunity, and this time they made it count as Tom O’Neill went over from close range.

This time, the conversion attempt was successful, which pushed the Wids advantage out to five points.

With half time approaching, the home side messed up at the restart which eventually created an opportunity for McGovern to convert a penalty and give the ‘red-and-blacks’ a 15 – 7 half time advantage.

Conditions continued to worsen as the second half got underway, and other than a penalty miss from the Wids, the game was developing into a battle royal in the midfield area of the field.

After making a couple of changes - with Mike Jones and Tom Spencer both coming on – they then lost a player into the sin-bin. Despite this, they were able to add another three points from a penalty, after ‘Loo were marched back a further ten metres by the referee.

At 18 – 7 up, the Wids were looking good value, but all that changed after 65 minutes, when a loose ball was swooped upon by pacy wingman Connor Wolfenden who hacked the ball on a couple of times before calmly touching down for a try against the run of play.

The worsening conditions meant the conversion attempt from wide out was made much more difficult, and Ratcliffe’s touchline effort sailed just wide of the mark.

Three minutes later, Widnes then missed with a further penalty attempt, before then having to absorb a whole load of pressure inside their own quarter, as ‘Loo went all out for the jugular in an effort to get themselves over the finishing line.

The Widnes defensive line, though, were able to stand firm, and a late penalty allowed them to finally clear the danger and claim the spoils and an important victory.

Head coach Liam McGovern said afterwards “Today was never going to be a classic due to the torrential rain falling throughout the game.
I said to the players, we need to be the best team at doing all the ugly things right, and the team that makes the least amount of errors today will win.

I thought we managed the game very smartly, and I am absolutely delighted to get the win which I thought we deserved. Our first league win has been long overdue, and it has certainly been coming, but we put that right this afternoon.

We have started now and can enjoy a week off, rest up, and look forward to travelling to Winnington Park in two weeks time full of confidence”.

Widnes: A Clarke, G Hatton, L Lawton, K Leadbetter, B Finch, L McGovern, J Salter, D Rourke, R Mafi, K Riley, S Bryan, M Garrity, E Price, C Feeley, T O’Neill (c). Reps: M Blakey, M Jones, T Spencer.