Widnes lose in Lancashire Cup Final.

After the great display of rugby served up by both teams this seemed like the cruellest way to decide who would win the cup.

West Park started the stronger and had large spells of possession early in the game, but struggled to get out of their own half. Trademark Widnes defence had West Park pinned in their own half. Choosing to keep the ball in the forwards West Park made slow progress moving up the field no further than the half way line, strong tackling by Jamie Hughes, Dom Oxley and Sean Glover forcing them back at every opportunity.

After some good handling from Josh Salter and Salesi Tuiono, Widnes came close to scoring with 10 minutes on the clock, when Will Johnson was tackled into touch 2 metres from the line. Half way through the first half West Park took the lead. Working the left hand touchline, and after making good ground from consecutive penalties, a lineout in the Widnes 22 saw them drive over in the corner. The conversion from the touchline made it 7-0.

With 5 minutes of the half remaining West Park extended their lead further to 12-0. Having retained possession through multiple phases they worked their way up the pitch before finally moving the ball wider and eventually crossing the line.

In true Wids fashion they were not going to give in and somehow managed to go in at the end of the first half on level terms at 12-12, thanks to 2 quick scores in the dying minutes of the half. The first scored by Allan Breeden, after the ball had fired out of the back of a Wids scrum; No.9 Alex Jones reacted quickly, collecting the ball and feeding it to Breeden who raced in to score. Then after some direct running from Declan Rice, and some quick recycling by Rob Cooke and Breeden, Will Johnson dived over wide out beating the West Park cover defence. Jones was unlucky with the conversion.

Widnes started the second half much better than they had the first, and scored in the early minutes, Joe Head having turned ball over in the ruck allowing Rob Cooke and Sean Glover to move the ball out wide to the waiting Breeden; who was unstoppable from 35 metres out. Alex Jones adding the extras.

Five minutes later though the scores were level again. A deep kick from West Park followed by a good chase put Widnes wing Matt Geraghty under a lot of pressure leaving him no option but to touch down over his own line. A pick and drive from the resulting 5 metre scrum ended in a try that gave the West Park kicker the easiest of conversions.

Widnes continued to struggle to win possession of the ball, the well drilled West Park pack rucked well, and they kept play tight not moving the ball much further than inside centre. The Wids characteristically moved the ball wide at every opportunity, with full back Dan Doyle linking up well.

Luke Beyga and Will Patient worked tirelessly in the pack, breaking up West Park play, and trying hard to force turnovers. Widnes’ hard work was rewarded with another score at the mid-point in the second half. Tom Whitfield had been solid at two in the line all day, but on this occasion he stepped back to allow Breeden to race onto a short ball to the front of the line. Catching West Park off guard Breeden went 30 metres up the pitch to score his hat-trick try. A great touchline conversion from Jones gave the Wids a 26-19 advantage going into the final quarter of the game.

The Wids had subs Lee Thompson, Bradley Hanley and Lewis Bates all on the field now, hoping they could make it to the final whistle while still ahead on points. However, it wasn’t to be, West Park crossed again with 5 minutes to go, from another scrum 5 after some more good forward play.

In the final minutes both teams exchanged penalties, first the Wids, and then West Park with the last kick of the game.

With the teams inseparable at the final whistle both sets of the spectators were looking forward to another instalment of what had been an excellent display of rugby from both teams, but it wasn’t to be. Instead the game was to be decided by a football style goal kicking shoot-out.

The nominated 5 kickers from each team stepped up to take their conversion attempt, from on the 22 metre line in front of the sticks, and at the end of what seemed like an age the teams were still level, both having converted 3 and missed 2. Sudden death now ensued. With players from both sides feeling the pressure it took a further six kicks before West Park landed the conversion that would win them the cup.

It was the worst way possible to lose in a final. The Wids players competed well, took their chances when they got them and represented their club with pride, passion and like true sportsmen. Both coaching staff and parents could not have asked more of them.

This was their last game together as a team, many of them having played in Team Manager Collin Johnson’s team since the age of 7. Good luck for the future lads and hope to see you all playing open age next year.