COCKY VIKINGS SET TO SURVIVE
Coach Betts: We finally look like Super League team
“ARROGANT” Widnes took a massive step towards Super League safety with a third and most crucial win of the season over their derby rivals.
Despite losing key players Rhys Hanbury and Danny Craven to injury, the Vikings were too good.
“We came in with the attitude that we were the better team,” beamed head coach Denis Betts.
“Just recently, we have started to look like a Super League team. You have got to turn up with the arrogance and confidence to play.
“It’s still a battle for the top three spaces but beating a Super League side is a big boost.
“We are not a side that is going to score from anywhere and be flashy.
“It’s doing the little things well and not getting bored with the simple things.”
Leigh never recovered from a dreadful start, conceding an early try to Lloyd White and losing Aussie hooker Daniel Mortimer with a bicep problem.
“It couldn’t have got any worse,” admitted under-pressure Centurions boss Neil Jukes. “But other than the injury, it was all our own doing.
”I was nervous going into the game because our preparation was immaculate. I couldn’t have asked for any more.
“I knew we still had a lot of hard work to do but I felt really confident. However, our effort and our intent with what we did defensively at the start gave us too much to do.”
Widnes, who go to unbeaten Championship challengers Hull KR on Saturday, were good value for a 14-0 interval lead.
Hooker White had already surged over for the visitors’ opening try before Mortimer’s departure.
Hanbury, later to limp off with groin trouble, missed the conversion but kicked a 13th-minute penalty for a trip by Ben Reynolds.
Ex-Viking Danny Tickle’s obstruction on White led to Hanbury booting a second penalty to make it 8-0.
Still Widnes kept coming and, with his first touch, prop Alex Gerrard smashed through flimsy defence for a try converted by Hanbury.
Vikings suffered another injury blow when half-back Craven was helped off with a knee injury immediately after the restart.
Winger James Clare scored a debut try to give Leigh brief hope. But Vikings fired back immediately with Corey Thompson’s matchclinching touchdown on the hour.
Chris Bridge goaled and booted two penalties in the final quarter to ensure Jukes trudged off to boos at the final hooter.