Another victory as Widnes stay on top
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● Man of the Match Tom O’Neill on the charge to get them close to the line, before Jamie Patient was bundled into touch at the corner flag as he reached out to score.
But, they would not be denied for long though, as Gavin Hatton crossed wide out on the wing to score a try that put his side in front for the first time in the match.
Andy Owens then calmly struck over the conversion to make the score 14-10.
The full back then calmly held his nerve to hit over a difficult, well struck penalty from 40 metres, to increase their advantage to seven points.
Next, came a super cross field kick into the danger zone from Kevin Leadbetter forcing a defender to hurriedly clear the ball into touch as two or three attackers chased him down.
From there, the Wids back line got to work again, and more crisp handling at pace sent super sub Gavin Hatton racing down the touchline to score his second try of the afternoon, much to delight of his team mates and the home supporters.
At 22-10, the Wids then earned a kickable penalty which would have confirmed the result, but the decision to take a quick tap instead of the three points proved to be the wrong one and Didsbury went back up field to add a converted score to make it 22-17.
With enough time still left to win the contest, Didsbury threw everything they could in an effort to get over the finishing line, but the Wids defence were equally determined to keep them out.
In the end, and just as Widnes had done earlier, Didsbury then had their own moment of madness as the kicked the ball forward and into touch and deny themselves a final opportunity to win the game.
But, ‘them are the breaks’ as the saying goes, and the red-and-blacks had gone on to win a thriller.
Afterwards Head coach Andy McIntosh said “We are very pleased with the result today. Didsbury have a decent team, some good lads and like to throw the ball around. This was a real test of our season so far.
“Having gone 10-0 down we found a way to win again, responded to some good rugby and scored some good tries of our own. Our interchanges made a real impact today to get us over the line and deserve a special mention. Looking forward, it puts us in a great position for the rest of the season”.
In the other senior fixture, the Seconds got the better of Manchester 27-12 in Division Two South of the Halbro North West Leagues.
Widnes take a well deserved break from the vigour of league rugby, and instead turn their attention to the National Cup where they will take Bolton in their first Pool fixture.
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Despite the congested fixture list, this is a competition they have been looking forward to ever since they were nominated to take part, particularly with the final being at Twickenham.
Bolton and Widnes have not met since 2014-15 when both teams were in North One West.
That season, honours finished even with one win each.
This time, the red-and-blacks compete in the Lancashire Leagues, whilst Bolton are now in North Two West.
Should the Wids win this game, they will then take on Winnington Park at home in the New Year and with it a great chance of progressing in to the next stage of the competition.
Elsewhere, the Seconds are away at Moore, whilst the Thirds take on Liverpool St Helens at Moss Lane.