They were in terrific form, scoring four tries in this bonus point victory in what could arguably be described as one their best team performances since the arrival of player coach Liam McGovern around sixteen months ago.

The win also helped to exorcise the demons of that Lancashire Cup defeat by the same opponents on the same ground just a few short weeks earlier, and which has remained heavy on their minds ever since.

For ‘Loo, this defeat brought to an end their previously impressive unbeaten start to the campaign, with the loss dropping them down to sixth in the table.

The weather for the game was mixed, with spells of warm sunshine being matched with a couple of spells of heavy rain, whilst there was a strong wind blowing down the pitch.

Both sides spent the opening exchanges testing each other out before the visitors were able to get their noses in front after ten minutes when Liam McGovern converted a penalty.

A couple of errors and a trio of penalties, then helped set up some field possession from the home team, which ended with Kurt Riley crashing over wide out for a well worked try.

With ‘Loo gaining in confidence and piling on the pressure, Widnes then had a man sent to the sin-bin. However, they were able to display some strong and determined defence meaning there was no additional damage on the scoreboard.

Returning to a full complement of fifteen, and with just minutes of the half remaining, seemed to inspire the visitors and following a series of phases close to the line, Mike Jones was on hand to crash over for a great try.

Liam McGovern then added the extras to send Widnes in at the break leading by 10pts – 5.

Getting the second half underway quickly saw the visitors regain possession and set up camp deep in the ‘Loo half once again. And it wasn’t long before Allan Breeden was able to peel off from a maul twenty metres out to race clear through a gap and score another of his trademark tries.

The effort was close enough for McGovern to add the conversion which increased the visitor’s advantage to twelve points.

Widnes then introduced Adam Menia and Keiron Arndell onto the field before Breeden made another strong run.

After 57 minutes, the visitors then earned themselves a penalty, and Liam McGovern was able to convert the effort from distance into the teeth of the strong and difficult wind.

Leading now by 20pts – 5 Widnes were looking comfortable, but another series of penalties followed by a second player making a visit to the sin-bin, ‘Loo grabbed the opportunity to a score a second try wide out on the touchline.

Six minutes later, the Widnes pack got to work close to the ‘Loo line, and after going through the phases, replacement Keiron Arndell crashed over in typical style, with McGovern’s trusty right boot again doing the rest.

At the restart, McGovern then made a twenty-metre dash down centre field followed by an exciting kick and chase.

However, despite the pressure, the four try bonus point continue to evade the visitors.

That was until the final minute of the game, when the ball was swung along the back line for second row man Ed Price – who had a top game - to take the final pass and dive over the line to score and round off a great afternoon for the ‘red-and-blacks.’

Head coach Liam McGovern said afterwards “Today was certainly a higher quality more rounded performance from us, which is what we have been pushing the lads for on the training field in previous weeks.

I thought we played the conditions very well, defended smartly with aggression and created some well-structured phases which caused Waterloo lots of problems.

It is always a tough place to come and get a win, but we leave with five league points deservedly earned, and with a performance to be proud of.

We also have the knowledge that there is still a lot more improvement to come from this squad as we move forward.”

WIDNES: J Salter, J Krause, J Patient, A Breeden, L George, L McGovern, G Hatton, M Garrity, P Makles, D Rourke, S Bryan, E Price, M Jones, C Feeley, T O’Neill (c). Reps: A Menia, K Arndell, W Patient.