Blackburn 20 - 33 Widnes

In a stop start game it was the Wids who took the points having held the lead since the third minute of the game. The game never really flowed and Widnes always looked like they had more in reserve when it was needed.

Jamie Hughes opened the scoring after a good break by Tom Whitfield and some strong running from Sean Glover gave the Wids some excellent field position. Quick ball from the back of a ruck and slick passing to Hughes’ wing saw him cut back inside and cross the whitewash.
On the 10 minute mark Blackburn found touch from a penalty deep inside the Widnes half, and from the resulting catch and drive crossed to make it 5-5, both sides having failed with their conversions.

Widnes replied immediately, having won good ball at 2 in the line Lewis Bates fed the ball to scrum half Alex Jones. Jones weaved his way 15 metres to the line having stepped 3 would be Blackburn defenders. Jones successfully converted his own try.

Widnes were then shown the first of 2 yellow cards that they were to pick up during the game. Having been reduced to 14 men Widnes found themselves on the wrong end of the penalty count with a lot more defending to do. A great solo effort though from Matt Geraghty relieved the pressure; when he intercepted and raced 70 metres downfield to increase the Widnes lead. Once again Jones landed the conversion.

Blackburn, however, determined to make their 1 man advantage tell continued to apply pressure and test the Widnes defence. Widnes were repeatedly penalised for being offside allowing Blackburn to get within touching distance of the Widnes line. The pressure eventually told and Blackburn crossed again from close range for their second try, which they failed to convert.

With half time looming and the Wids back up to 15 it was Widnes who were finishing stronger. A strong break from Dan Doyle had Blackburn retreating, and some fast recycling from the Widnes pack allowed Josh Salter to pick and go from the back of a ruck and score the final try of the half. Jones once again adding the extras to make it 26-10 at half time.

The second half was just like the first with the visitors on the wrong end of a high penalty count. Blackburn had long spells of possession punctuated by breaks up field by their opponents. The tough Widnes defence was punctured twice more by Blackburn. Who with 15 minutes remaining managed to get within six points having failed to convert any of their tries.

Both sides were shown a yellow card in the second half for separate incidents, but the game concluded with both teams back up to a full compliment. With less than 10 minutes to play a couple of great runs, first from Allan Breeden then from Alex Jones took Widnes away from their line, followed by fast hands from Rob Cooke and Josh Salter who combined to put Salesi Tuiono away. Salesi still had defenders to beat, but a couple of great sidesteps took him clear of the opposition to score under the sticks. Jones added the extras for a final score of 33-20.

On a cold day this wasn’t the most entertaining game of rugby Widnes have played this season, but they got ahead on the scoreboard and managed to stay in front, despite being heavily penalised by the referee.