Park strife for Widnes on a blank afternoon
WIDNES....................................................... 0 BROUGHTON PARK ................................ 24
WIDNES tasted defeat for a third successive week as they were easily turned over by league leaders Broughton Park at Heath Road last Saturday afternoon.
The home side were almost never at the races, as their opponents secured their fourth win on the bounce to maintain top spot following an opening day shock at Sefton.
The miserable wet conditions which were prevalent throughout the afternoon seemed to set the tone for the remainder of the piece for the home side, and an early sin-binning was quickly followed by a double whammy in which Park crossed for two tries and a conversion which gave them a 12-0 lead in as many minutes.
It was Park who got the game underway from the kick-off which allowed Matt Blakey and Mike Jones to get their hands on some early possession.
But, with the visitors’ forward machine beginning to crank into action, it was clear this was going to be another tough day at the office.
Using their big, well-drilled pack to good effect, Park forced a series of penalties in quick succession close to the Widnes line, which in turn saw the referee produce the inevitable yellow card to reduce the home side to 14 players.
Although Mike Garrity was on hand to pull off a super try-saving tackle, the relief was short-lived as Andrew Wilson soon crashed over for a try to put the visitors in front.
Shortly afterwards – and with Widnes still under the cosh – the Park forwards got to work again which allowed number 8 Paddy O’Donnell to score a push-over try converted by Harry Milligan for a 12-point advantage.
After 20 minutes, a midfield melee ended with a Park player being shown a straight red card by the referee which ● meant the visitors would now have to play out the remaining hour of the game with a man down.
Widnes then lost Josh Kenyon as he went down with what looked like a serious leg injury to be replaced by Matty Walker.
On the half-hour mark, the home side were then hit by a real hammer blow as they desperately sought out a way back into the contest.
Albeit against the run of play, the ball quickly found itself into the hands of wing Adedayo Titiloye, who chipped ahead before hacking the ball forward and then showing great football skills to dribble the ball over the line before touching down.
Fortunately for the home side, there was no further damage to the scoreboard, but at 17-0 down, Widnes now had something of a mountain to climb in the second 40 minutes.
With the coach’s words ringing in their ears, Widnes began with much more purpose after the restart and quickly set up camp in the Park quarter as they looked for an early way back into the encounter. Their cause though was not helped, however, when they had a second player sent to warm his heels on the sideline, and they were immediately punished by Park as they were suddenly cut-loose from distance to get Marcus Eaton in at the corner for the all important bonus point try.
To make matters worse, the wellstruck conversion attempt sailed right between the uprights to increase their advantage to a now massive 24 points.
With the result now assured, the last 20 minutes of the game was all a bit scrappy and increasingly niggly, which tested the patience of the official to the point where he produced another three yellow cards before the final whistle eventually sounded to bring an end to the proceedings.
A great result for Park then, but more disappointment for the home side who now need a positive result soon to reignite their own campaign and lift themselves up the table. ● IN the only other senior game last weekend, Widnes’s second XV missed out for a second week in a row, losing by 12-6 in a tight affair at Bowdon in Division Two South. ● LEE McDERMOTT’S outfit make the short journey out of the borough and across the East Lancs on Saturday when they take on derby rivals West Park at Red Rocks.
Recent results for either side – as well as other results elsewhere – means that this fixture has now gained added significance with both teams desperate for a positive result to re-establish themselves after a disappointing opening month that has produced just a pair of wins each thus far.
In addition to the all-important result, the game also has some added spice, with McDermott pitting his wits once more against Widnes old boy Paul Woodward who is currently in charge of the St Helens-based outfit.
Widnes will be without Josh Kenyon following his injury against Broughton Park, but may be in a position to welcome back some of their missing players who have yet to feature in the current campaign.
The game kicks off at 3pm.