We’re doing it
THE sister and brother-in-law of the late Pat Price have expressed their delight after Widnes Vikings renamed the North Stand in honour of the legendary supporter.
The Pat Price Stand was used for the first time during last weekend’s game against Warrington and will now forever be adorned with images of the superfan who passed away in 2014.
Joan Hayes, Pat’s sister, told the Weekly News: “It’s brilliant; it was a lovely surprise.
“The photograph up there shows exactly how it was; she was here week after week with the people and the children. She couldn’t have done any better really.
“I’m thrilled to bits. It’s lovely that someone has thought of the idea.
“Years ago she used to do a lot of jobs behind the scenes because we just loved the club – that’s how it was here.”
Joan’s husband Terry was also on hand to see the stand named after his sister-in-law.
He added: “After she died, the first home game was against Warrington and there was a wonderful tribute from the Warrington supporters.
“There was total respect which was a magnificent gesture considering the rivalry between the clubs and the status of the game. They excelled themselves that night.
“So it’s fitting that it’s a game against Warrington when the stand is officially going to be named the Pat Price Stand – it’s marvellous.
“We can say we’re going down to sit in the family stand now!
“It’s going to be here for a long time and it’s marvellous thing for us to take into our old age.
“It’s a wonderful gesture by the club because she was a special lady. She had a special way with people of all ages, kiddies and the elderly.
“She was known all over the league at the different grounds and was well respected because she was a great ambassador. She was always conscious of the good name of the club.” ● See Page 6 WIDNES VIKINGS ...................... 14 WARRINGTON WOLVES ........... 28
WITH half an hour to go in an absorbing opening game of the Qualifiers, it looked like Widnes might upset the odds as they held a 14-6 lead against local rivals Warrington at the Select Security Stadium.
But it was Tony Smith’s visitors who came home with a wet sail to take a vital two points with a 28-14 victory.
It was by no means a bad effort by the Vikings but at this stage of proceedings, it’s results that count.
Widnes boss Denis Betts saw his pre-match preparations severely disrupted when, barely 24 hours before kick-off, it was revealed that playmaker Rangi Chase had tested positive for cocaine after the game against Wakefield on July 14.
Chase’s place in the side was taken by Danny Craven in his first appearance after several weeks out with injury.
Speaking after the game, Betts said: “We knew what Rangi was when we brought him in.
“We made a statement about it and it’s pretty self-explanatory what’s going on.
“I don’t dislike Rangi. The only person who should be disappointed in Rangi is Rangi.
“It wasn’t an ideal situation but I spoke to the lads and we had a meeting before the game. They handled it really well.
“It’s just one of those things that’s got in our way that we have to climb over.
“Danny was originally due to play about half an hour off the bench.
“He hasn’t played for a number of weeks and he hasn’t been able to run because of the calf injury he’s had. But he played 80 minutes in a high tempo game. He was blowing a bit at the end but I thought he did well.”
As well as Craven, Betts also welcomed back key men Rhys Hanbury, Lloyd White and Chris Houston.
And for a while it looked like his team would prevail but they appeared to run out of steam in the latter stages.
Betts added: “It was a tough contest up to the point when we fell out of that arm-wrestle.
“If we take our opportunities when we create them, it looks like a totally different game.
“We also had some tough calls. If this game had been on TV there would have been two tries that aren’t scored.
“We’re doing it tough at the moment but what you saw out there was a game between two teams who knew it was an important game to win.
“We just didn’t have enough quality in us at key times to get there.
“We’re not an unconfident group but we’re just lacking a bit of composure at the moment.
“We’ve had lads playing out of position and players coming back from injury, but if we can hold the nucleus of our side together over the next four or five weeks, we’ll be good.
“The next two games are crucial. We play two Championship teams, one home one away, and we need to get points.”
Widnes got off to the worst possible start when an early error gifted the Wolves field position and from the resulting pressure Kevin Brown sent Jack Hughes over for a six-pointer.
It looked like being a long night for the Vikings when Warrington hooker Daryl Clark almost added to the lead but Hanbury’s tackle stopped him short and Widnes began to work their way back into the game.
On 14 minutes, the scores were levelled when prop Jack Buchanan rumbled over by the posts with White adding the extras.
Now in the ascendancy, Widnes went close again but Charly Runciman was tackled inches from the tryline but the home crowd didn’t have to wait long for another try to come. ●
The Vikings took the lead when White’s break and return pass to Joe Mellor sent the half-back scurrying behind the sticks to make it 12-6.
Betts’ men kept their lead to half-time and increased it by a further two points with a White penalty seven minutes after the break.
However, just when Widnes seemed to have the momentum, a midfield knock-on saw them cough up possession and the Wolves took advantage.
Quick hands to the left released