It was an important bonus point victory for the 'red-and-blacks' ahead of two tough matches they have coming up against North Ribblesdale and Sandbach who are currently occupying places one and two in R2NW.

The win - and what an important victory it was - means that the Wids have now won three league matches in a row for the first time since achieving promotion at the end of 2023-24.

The weather for this derby game was all but perfect, with warm autumn sunshine overlooking a pitch that was in superb condition and ideal for some free-flowing rugby.

The two teams were welcomed on to the pitch by the Wids Under 11’s as part of their ‘one club’ strategy, and the youngsters did not have long to wait to cheer on the home side.

As expected with any derby game, the opening exchanges were all about seeking out an early advantage, and both teams took the opportunity to throw the ball around.

Jamie Patient made a couple of half breaks for the home team, whilst a chip through from Park’s Liam Hill just rolled dead as the away team attacked.

Widnes, though, continued to look the more dangerous with their extra pace and ability to turn defence into attack. And it was from one such move that saw Jamie Patient break free before handing on to full back Andy Clarke who raced twenty metres to score a try which was converted Liam McGovern.

Lewis George was then denied a scoring opportunity as the last pass was adjudged forward by the official.

Captain Tom O’Neill then had to leave the field with a cut to the head, before Liam Hill almost caught Widnes unawares as he dummied his way through only to be denied by some excellent Wids scrambling defence.

On 23 minutes, more quick thinking by the Wids paid off as crisp handling along the back division, eventually led to Charlie Feeley releasing hooker Reuben Mafi who crossed for his first try in senior colours.

McGovern was again on target with the awkward conversion which extended the Wids lead to fourteen points.

Just ten minutes later, the Wids attacking machine were at it again. This time McGovern’s switch pass found Andy Clarke in support, and the fullback’s long looping ball found Jamie Patient in support to score their third try which was also converted.

The home side were then forced to defend their quarter once again, and Dan Rourke’s bone crunching tackle on his opposite number seemed to sum up the home teams’ general approach in that opening forty minutes.

An early Wids penalty at the start of the second half kept up the pressure on Park, and when they received another three minutes later, McGovern opted to kick for goal to put his side four scores ahead.

Park were not ready to throw in the towel just yet, and after a strong run from Fa’asavalu, Martin Kimberley produced a try from close range converted by Littler to make it 24 – 7.

The visitors looked visibly lifted by the score, and helped along by a sequence of penalties, they were able to lay siege inside the Widnes 10 metre area. Fortunately, the ‘red-and-blacks’ defence remained up to the challenge and keep their line intact.

Park did have a ‘try’ chalked off by the referee for offside before the home side were able to respond with a try that came almost out of nothing.

There didn’t appear to be anything on, when Kevin Leadbetter gathered possession in midfield before launching a huge up and under.

However, the ball wasn’t dealt with effectively by the Park defence, which allowed the centre to follow up his own kick, collect possession and race clear from twenty metres to score a great try under the posts.

McGovern added the easy conversion to re-instate the earlier Wids lead.

The visitors were not done yet though, as Jack Tunstall crashed over for a five pointer to make it 31 – 12.

In a flurry of activity inside the final few minutes, some ill-timed backchat allowed Widnes to get close to the Park line, from where Dan Rourke powered his way past three or four defenders to score a try which was once again converted by McGovern from way out on the touchline.

With the last play of the game, Widnes had a man despatched into the sin bin and Park were awarded a penalty try which finally brought an end to proceedings and another good day at the office for the Heath Road faithful.

Head coach Liam McGovern said afterwards “Today was another step forward in our development as a team and another improved performance. We are building nicely and playing some smart Rugby.

I thought we took control of the game from the start and used the ball well in the right areas which put a lot of pressure on the West Park defence.

Another five-point win is very pleasing, and it is just rewards for the effort the lads are putting in training.

All three teams are working extremely hard in training which is showing in the results, and the players deserve a big pat on the back for their efforts so far which has been absolutely outstanding.

In the meantime, we do it all over again next week and we cannot wait to do so.”

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