Cahill delighted Gelling could be a Viking too
● WIDNES club captain Hep Cahill has welcomed the news that his fellow New Zealander, Anthony Gelling, is still expected to join the club in 2019.
Gelling signed a deal for next year before the end of last season but there has been speculation the 28 year-old centre, who played for New Zealand Warriors last term, may not now arrive at the Select Security Stadium.
However, the word coming out from the Vikings this week suggests the deal is still very much alive.
Cahill said: “He’ll be good for the team and the town. The quality he brings will be a massive boost. He can create something out of nothing and that ability to come up with opportunities when the game’s gone quiet is a big thing in the Championship.
“His wife’s about to have a baby so there are a few things we’re trying to sort out for them, but hopefully they’ll be over here as soon as possible.”
Sunday, November 8, 1981 A SPLUTTERING first half saw Widnes trail Castleford 7-5 with their points coming from a John Basnett try converted by Mick Burke, while the Yorkshire outfit relied on three penalties and a drop goal.
A typical game of two halves evolved, with 17-year-old David Hulme and Fred Whitfield the inspiration for a second half revival.
Five tries were scored in a scintillating 20 minute spell.
The tries came from a Keith Bentley hat-trick backed up by Mick George and Basnett, with Burke adding a penalty and a conversion. ● WIDNES VIKINGS: On This Day is available now at £9.99 from the Vikings Superstore. ●
NOBODY knows better than newly-appointed head coach Kieron Purtill just how big a task Widnes will face in the Betfred Championship in 2019.
Having taken over the reins at Leigh early in last season’s Championship campaign and turned the team’s fortunes around after a disastrous start, Purtill can rightly claim to have experienced life at the coalface.
But for many of his Vikings charges, it will be a new experience after seven seasons in Super League and Purtill wants everybody at the club, including the supporters, to be ready for the adventure.
He said: “There are a lot of challenges. Some of the grounds we go to are quite quirky and traditional. They’re compact with not great facilities and the fields will be heavy, especially early on in the year.
“The refereeing is slightly different and the ruck is slightly different. Everywhere we go the opposition will see it as a Grand Final because they’ll want to get a win over Widnes Vikings.
“We have to approach games with the right mentality and look forward to it. We also have to handle being favourites most weeks.”
The Vikings’ 2019 squad is still something of a work in progress.
Hooker Jordan Johnstone is the latest player to nail his colours to the mast for next season with the 21 year-old following hot on the heels of the experienced Chris Dean.
However, there are still a few of the class of 2018 whose futures are unclear and several of the club’s most high profile players have already new.
Purtill is still on the lookout for new signings and his knowledge of current Championship players could come in handy in that regard.
He realises the importance of getting the right blend of players.
“There’s still some business to be done.
“Obviously we’ve got a lot of young players who’ve come through the system who will be given an opportunity.
“We need to get the right mix of youth and experience.
“We’ve got experience in the squad of the Championship which is going to be vital because there are going to be some tough places to go this year.
“Liam Hood and Harrison Hansen both played in the Championship last year and their expe- left for pastures rience will be important.
“We have to keep smiling and work hard for each other and come out the other side of it.”
One crucial lesson 2018 will have taught Purtill and which he will be keen to instil into his players is the need to hit the ground running.
Despite his best efforts at Leigh, they ended up missing out on The Qualifiers after they had given themselves too much ground to make up with a series of early defeats before Purtill took over.
The consequences for the Centurions have proved disastrous with them having to engage in some major restructuring as a result of the negative impact on the club’s finances.
Purtill is determined to engender competition for places within the squad and he will not be