Defensive efforts are praised

WIDNES’S second XV got their show back on the road last Saturday with a comfortable 29-0 victory against Winnington Park.

They led 10-0 at the break with a Brad Gardiner try and a conversion and penalty from Josh Paton before confirming the triumph with more points in the second half.

There were fivepointers after the interval from Andy O’Neill, Tom Farmer and Martin Bate with Paton adding another couple of conversions.

The victory was dampened, however, by injuries to Chris Hall, Kyle McGreevey, Sam Whitty and Ben McQuillian meaning the Wids finished the game with 14 men.

Speaking after the game, Widnes seconds’ head coach, Dan Newall, said: “Today was a huge game for us; we were coming off the back of two defeats and needed a result against a team at the wrong end of the table.

“Fair play to the boys, they pulled it together today and put in a fantastic performance in absolutely horrible conditions.

“There were times today where we could have lost control of the game, but I thought we played really smart today which is something we speak about before every game.

“Our kick options were great and got us out of trouble and our pack worked over time and controlled the ball really well.

“The biggest positive that has been there all season was our defence.

“To keep a team to scoreless shows a great effort and it’s been there the last few weeks; the commitment to each other is brilliant to see.” ● WIDNES U16s turned in another excellent all-round team performance to beat Ellesmere Port 40-14.

Thomas Wright crossed for three tries with teammates Jack Crouse, Flynn Thorburn and Jack Martindale adding solo efforts. Sam Bate booted over five conversions. ● WIDNES U10s got the better of both Ellesmere Port and Oxton Parkonians in a double-header with Louis Favour and Matthew Hayter selected as co-winners of the man-of-the-match accolade in what was a terrific team effort.