Widnes storm to very comfortable cup win
WIDNES..................................................... 33 ALDWINIANS........................................... 14
WIDNES got off to a great start in their Pool ‘C’ cup game with a comfortable victory against Aldwinians at Heath Road last Saturday afternoon.
And, whilst Storm Callum was doing its damage elsewhere, it was another kind of Callum – Isbell to be precise – who turned in a man-of-the-match performance on the pitch to get his team over the finishing line.
This game was an opportunity for both outfits to take a well-earned break from the pressure cooker environment of the league campaign, where the early form of both teams could best be described as being ‘patchy’ with a sum total of just three wins from 10 matches.
So, a victory of any kind in this newlycreated ‘League Cup’ competition, could act as a real catalyst for change for the remainder of the season.
The home side went into the game with a whole raft of changes to their lineup, several of whom were making their first appearance in the senior side, and it began to look ominous early on as big centre Jamie Henderson made an early break down the centre of the field before losing possession.
The Red-and-Blacks, though, soon recovered from that minor hiccup, and when a loose pass went to ground, it was Kevin Leadbetter who was first to react and cut through a narrow gap on a 35 metre dash to the line to score the opening try.
The visitors then had an opportunity to score their first points, but were denied by the referee who halted play because of a forward pass. Stand-off Adam Heath then missed with a penalty as the ball passed wide of the target in the difficult, swirling conditions.
As expected, both sides were making mistakes, but on 24 minutes, the dangerous Wids backline were able to cut loose from distance allowing full-back Andy Owens to dummy his way through and race 50 metres to score close enough to the uprights for him to also add the extras.
Shortly afterwards the hosts received a penalty, and Owens was again on target to make it 15-0 after 27 minutes.
Aldwinians did get close to the Widnes ● danger zone as the half drew to a close, but some out of turn backchat saw the official reverse a penalty which allowed the home side to clear the danger and maintain their lead at the 40 minute mark.
As the second half got underway, Josh Kenyon was soon in action with a lovely long-range touch-finder and when the ball was quickly moved across the field, centre Liam Lawton had enough pace to get on the outside of his opposite number to score a third Widnes try.
Ryan Millington – making his first start – was next on the scoresheet as he then followed up his own kick-and-chase to touch down for another try underneath the posts and offering Owens an easy conversion attempt.
On 55 minutes, Aldwinians lost a player into the sin-bin, but despite the numerical disadvantage the visitors were able to lift their efforts as centre Jamie Henderson raced home from 30 metres for a fine try which was converted by Adam Heath.
After 72 minutes, Owens converted another Wids penalty to bring up the 30-point mark, before the visitors then responded as they forced the home team to concede a penalty try.
In a frantic last couple of minutes, the referee then produced a red card to dismiss an Aldwinians player from the field before full-back Owens had the final word with a late penalty to round off proceedings for the day.
Overall, though, this was a great result from a severely understrength, and very young Widnes team, and their performances both individually and collectively will have given the coaching staff plenty to think about over the coming days. ● In the other senior games, the seconds lost out at Northwich, whilst the thirds received a walkover as Firwood Waterloo were unable to raise a team. ● Next up for Widnes, is yet another home match – the third in a row – as they take on basement side Tyldesley at Heath Road.
The St George’s Park outfit have done it tough so far this season, losing all five of their ADM Premier League matches so far. They also conceded their League Cup game at Red Rocks.
They ran Littleborough close in round one, before then receiving a thrashing at West Park. Subsequent results have seen them lose to Heaton Moor, Liverpool St Helens and Oldham.
Widnes, though, will not be fooled by the Bongs’ poor run of form to date, and will need to be very much on their guard if they hope to realise their ambition of making it three league wins in a row and lift themselves a couple more place on the league ladder.
Elsewhere, the seconds are at home to Helsby, whilst the thirds visit Southport.
All games kick-off at 3pm.