Plans to kick-off with a win go West for Wids
WIDNES....................................................... 5 WEST PARK .............................................. 31
THIS was not how the script was supposed to unfold, as Widnes failed their big audition in the opening round of the new ADM Premier League at Heath Road.
They were left shellshocked by an outstanding performance from the men from Red Rocks, who turned the form book on it head to secure victory following four successive defeats at the hands of Lee McDermott’s men – the most recent being just three weeks previous.
The visitors were nothing other than great value for their win, and on this showing, they are going to be one of the sides to beat over the coming months.
In addition to this ‘shock’ result, there were a couple of other surprising final scores, meaning that the new ADM Premier League has got off to a really exciting, if unpredictable, start.
Unlike the Widnes performance, the weather did brighten up as the afternoon progressed. And as the game got underway, the heavy rain finally gave way to some pleasant weak autumn sunshine.
Park had much the better of the early exchanges, and they took the lead after 10 minutes following some quick thinking from scrum-half Ryan Littler who caught Widnes napping to score the game’s opening try.
With the conversion from Jack Holland going over, Park were in front 7-0.
There were the occasional moments when Widnes threatened a response, but they were mis-firing far too often, and their lack of composure mixed in with a lack of discipline by conceding far too many penalties, always looked likely to cost them in the end.
And, that was how it happened, as Littler again caught Widnes napping as he sent full-back John Pape over for Park’s second try which was again converted by Holland. And, if that was not bad enough, a Widnes player was then shown a red card after the referee deemed to have spotted a tip tackle in the build-up to the score. ●
It all meant that the Red-and-Blacks faced a mighty uphill challenge in the second 40 minutes.
With no further change to the scoreboard, the hosts needed a positive response at the start of the second half, and for a very brief period, it looked like the coaches’ half-time team-talk had finally woken the home side up from its slumbers.
However, that notion was quickly dismissed almost as quickly as it had started, as a loose pass was intercepted by Luke Duddle who then proceeded to race 75 metres for a try underneath the posts. With Holland adding the extras, the deficit was now a massive 21 points.
From there, there was no way back for the home side. There were a couple of occasions when Widnes went close with Arnie Haydock and Mike Jones being held up over the line, but the harder they tried, the more it looked like it just was not going to be their day.
Finally, it was Haydock who gave the home side something to cheer about as he took matters into his own hands to crash over for a try from close-range.
But any hopes of a late Wids revival were quickly extinguished, as more slick work from Park saw them turn defence into attack to get full-back Pape over for his second try to confirm the destiny of the points. There was still time for Holland to add a late penalty for Park which merely added to the Widnes misery, and they will have a lot of work to do on the training paddock this week if they have ambitions to turn things in time for Saturday’s trip to South Manchester. ● In the other senior games, the seconds were left disappointed following their trip to Didsbury Toc H, but the thirds had more luck as they secured a second successive victory against Ormskirk to sit proudly as joint-leaders of Division Four West. ● Next up for the men’s senior squad is a trip into the unknown when they visit Heaton Moor at their pleasant Green Lane location.
Not a huge amount is known about the side from Stockport as both teams have always played their rugby in different leagues, although the Wids spies were on hand a few weeks back to watch them in a pre-season friendly.
Prior to the new, revised league structure, Moor competed in South Lancashire/Cheshire Two last season finishing third behind the promoted pair of Liverpool Collegiate and Winnington Park. In 2016-17 they finished fifth with 11 wins and 11 defeats from their 22 matches.
Their opening game in the new ADM Premier Division last weekend saw them earn a credible 12-12 draw against Oldham which was a great result, and they will undoubtedly be looking to go one better this time.
Meanwhile, Widnes, will be hoping that the game against West Park was simply a bad day at the office, and that some straight talking and hard work during training this week will see them begin to turn things around starting this weekend. In the other senior games, the seconds are at home to Whitchurch, whilst the unbeaten thirds are away at Sefton in a league and cup double-header.
All games kick-off at 3pm.