Wids setting sights on title treble
ON a day that many thought would never come, Widnes play their first competitive league game for 18 months when they take on ‘newly’ promoted Burnley at Heath Road in the opening round of the ADM Premier League.
It has been a long time between drinks for the ‘red-and-blacks’ whose last game was on March 14 2020.
The wait has been equally as long - but probably felt even longer - for opponents Burnley, who have had to wait patiently for a year and a half for their big chance after being promoted at the end on the shortened 2019-20 campaign.
According to the record books, the last time these two met was back in September 1998, when the Holden Road outfit were known by their previous guise of Calder Vale before changing to their current name four years later.
That day, Emosi Koloto was coach, Paul Woodward was captain, with the red-and blacks coming out on top by 32-18.
But that was then, and this is now, and both teams will be champing on the bit and desperate to get out there on pitch and strut their stuff once again.
If anybody did need reminding; Widnes are the current reigning Champions having won the league title during the first two years of the competition, with season, of course, being completely wiped out because of the pandemic.
The Heath Road outfit are determined to make it a hat-trick of titles, although they can expect the new season to be the toughest of them all. In a way, this will be a step into the unknown and much will depend upon which teams have been affected the least and who will be quickest out of the blocks.
It goes without saying, that every other team want to be the one who finally knock the Wids off their lofty perch and inflict a first league defeat on Andy McIntosh’s charges since September 22, 2018.
But, the Wids are proud of their record, and one they are not going to relinquish lightly not least of all this coming Saturday against the newly promoted Lancastrians.
For the record, supporters are reminded that all this season’s games will now kick off at the earlier time of 2.15pm.
Elsewhere within the Club; another important development has seen Dan Newall return to the position of Head coach of the Seconds in time for their own restart on September 11. A former Clubman of the Year, Newall spent last season as backs coach after a previous spell in charge. During that time, he guided the team to a Cup semi-final and a promotion winning campaign in 2017.
Dan brings with him a wealth of experience in both codes having spent six seasons in professional rugby league on the coaching staff with Oldham RLFC, Warrington Wolves and Widnes Vikings.
His first piece of business was to confirm that Ben McQuillan will continue in his role as captain for a third successive year, whilst Adam Watson will also remain as assistant coach.
Follow InYourArea’s Facebook page for the latest national headlines “Having Ben as Captain again was an easy decision. He has done a great job and learned a great deal as he continues to develop as a player and a leader. There are some good young players in the squad who have come through our junior ranks and Colts system who will be looking to challenge for a First Team place very soon. They will be mixed with some more experienced, established players which is a great dynamic to have.”
Dan is already looking ahead to the coming season: “It’s been a difficult 18 months for everyone and we’ve missed out on a lot of things. I’m grateful the club have the confidence in me to lead the team again and it is a role I’m proud to take on. The Seconds is a hugely important cog in the workings of this club who have had a great impact on the success of other teams within the set-up.”
He continued “We have had a long pre-season training in preparation for the season. Numbers have been good and we just hope we can enjoy playing rugby again, in what should be an exciting year going into a new league structure. We still have a lot of work to do both on and off the field but keeping Adam Watson involved will help keep some stability within our ranks.”
Players old and new and are always welcome, Training takes place every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at Heath Road.