Widnes heading for Christmas No1 slot
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WIGAN WIDNES 21 31 would not be denied for long, as Josh Salter had enough space to cut back inside the cover to score a try close enough for Andy Owens to convert and level things up.
Widnes then rang the changes with all three replacements coming onto the field to freshen up things. And for a while it looked to have done the trick as Andy Owens quickly converted a penalty which gave his side the lead.
But, almost immediately, Wigan hit back with another score from centre Boardman, converted by Ethan Jukes to give the home side a deserved 14-10 half time lead.
The half-time team talk would have been about putting all the small things right that had plagued the Wids for the first 40 minutes, but the early exchanges appeared to produce more of the same.
However, it was soon to come right, as the visitors capitalised on back-to-back penalties for Kevin Leadbetter to dummy his way through a flat-footed defence and over the line for a try.
The faultless boot of Andy Owens then did the rest and the Wids were now in front by a three-point margin.
Wigan replied almost immediately with a superb counter attack from distance, but which ended in disappointment as
Adam Dwyer pulled a penalty wide of the target.
That miss seemed to reinvigorate the Wids resolve, and when the home side then also found themselves a man down in the ‘bin, the visitors were able to make them pay as quick hands got Ryan Millington over in the corner.
Not satisfied with that, full back Owens then booted over the touchline conversion to extend the lead to ten points.
Some superb work from Owens saw the full back turn defence into attack with a 60 metre touch finder. And, although the effect wasn’t immediate, they were in the right area of the pitch now.
That proved to be the prelude for a thrilling touchline dash from Gavin Hatton, before the ball was switched across field for Tom O’Neill to then pick up and barge his way over the line for the Wids fourth bonus point try – which was inevitably converted once again by the trusty boot of Owens.
With the result out of sight now, Wigan launched one more attack from deep and elusive wing man Daniel Goulbourne was
● rewarded with a late converted try after some great lead-up work from the equally impressive Sam Gee.
Afterwards head coach Andy McIntosh said: “Great second half performance from the lads today to get us over the line.
“Fair play to Wigan, they played a good tactical game and kicked well. It was a really tough encounter as we expected with it being in a local derby”.
There was double disappointment for the other senior sides last weekend.
The Seconds lost at leaders Wilmslow in Division Two South, whilst the Thirds were beaten by Eagle in Division Four West.
Next up for Widnes is a home game against Ormskirk at Heath Road this coming Saturday.
The Merseyside outfit were promoted at the end of last season alongside Champions Wigan, and made a very promising start to life in the ADM Premier League.
In recent weeks though their progress seems to have stalled and they are currently without a win in their last three games – the most recent being a disappointing home defeat to Liverpool Collegiate last weekend.
Widnes though will be wary that this game represents yet another potential banana skin in an unpredictable Premier League, and they will have to be fully switched on and ready to go right from the off if they have hopes to remain unbeaten and top of the table as the Christmas and New Year break beckons.
Meanwhile, in the other senior games the Seconds are at home to Anselmians, as are the Thirds who play West Park.
● All games kick off at 2.15pm.