Semi spot looking hopeful as Widnes whip West Park
WIDNES....................................29 WEST PARK ............................... 7
● but none of the opportunities were executed.
So, when Lee Rosney set up Danny Green for a try underneath the posts which was easily converted by John Pape, it was game on again with just a point in it.
Fortunately, Widnes were able to respond almost immediately, quickly making their way upfield for big Arnie Haydock to crash over close to the uprights for another of his trademark tries.
With full back Owens also adding the conversion, the home side were able to restore their earlier eight point advantage as the half finally drew to a close.
The second period saw Widnes continue where they had left off at the end of the first half, and they were soon camped out in the Park quarter.
Some fine individual work from man of the match Josh Kenyon saw the scrum half’s pass find the supporting Owens who was able to race clear and score his second try which he also converted.
Despite the deficit, Park continued to press hard in an effort to get themselves back into the contest as they had done in the previous game.
But, this time their vital cutting edge seemed to be missing and their cause wasn’t helped when their elusive wing man Adam Woosey was helped off with an injury.
The remainder of the match provided precious few real highlights; there was plenty of pressure from the visitors which was comfortably dealt with by the home side’s defence, matched by a couple of exciting kick and chase affairs involving Owens and Jamie Patient.
In the end, it took an exciting break from Will Patient to finally break the deadlock.
His strong run and pass freed up Mike Garrity who handed on to Ryan Millington who scored a try wide out which Owens converted to wrap up the scoring.
A delighted Andy McIntosh said afterwards: “I am a very happy coach. We deserved our win today and were in control from start to finish.
“If anything, we bombed a few chances when we could have scored and it was probably closer at half time than it should have been.
“We did kick on though in the second half to secure the win.
“What impresses me most each week is we make changes, but the lads come in, buy into our game plan, learn, back themselves and perform.
“The back row of Will Patient, Mike Jones and Tom O’Neill were outstanding today and we looked a lot more effective in the backs.
“Although it is early in the season, we still have lots to play and train for and we continue to enjoy every minute”.
● In the other senior fixtures; the Seconds continued their turn around in fortunes with a 29-0 win at Helsby, but the Thirds lost at Wallasey in their latest Division Four West fixture.
● Next up for Widnes is yet another home game, this time against Heaton Moor at Heath Road.
Moor haven’t had the best of starts to the new campaign, but their recent 13-12 win against Liverpool Collegiate has helped to reinvigorate their season.
Last season, Moor proved notoriously difficult to beat.
They narrowly defeated the Wids in a thriller at Green Lane before running the red-andblacks close in the return fixture back at Heath Road.
Widnes, though, continue to be the team to beat, and with confidence high and a strong squad to choose from, they will have high hopes of maintaining their long unbeaten run.
Meanwhile, the other senior sides are both in Cup action; the Seconds are at Northwich in the Robinsons Brewery Trophy competition, whilst the Thirds are at Wallasey again this time in the Shield.
All games kick off at 3pm.