Wids tee up winner takes all cup clash
WIDNES ........................... 36 OLDHAM ........................... 0
WIDNES finally got their show back on the road at the third time of asking with a routine 36-0 victory over Oldham at Heath Road.
It was a much-improved performance by the Wids, and comes hot on the heels of two fairly average performances against Fleetwood and Liverpool St Helens. The result also sets them up nicely for Saturday’s ‘winner takes all’ cup game against Didsbury.
The home side made a few positional changes to the side, alongside Ciaran O’Donnell who was making his debut at scrumhalf. There was also a welcome return in the pack for Mike Jones and Ryan Stokes.
The weather for the game was dry, bright and sunny, but there was a very strong and freezing cold wind blowing diagonally across the pitch.
Unsurprisingly, the difficult weather conditions made handling difficult in the opening stages with both teams making mistakes.
After nine minutes, Jack Krause was denied a try after when the winger was deemed to have put his foot in touch as he raced clear to score.
The home side were not to be denied for long, though, as some smart work at the base of the scrum saw Tom O’Neill go blind before releasing the pass to Ciaran O’Donnell who crossed for a fine debut try.
Midway through the half, Oldham had a couple of chances but some poor handling and execution close to the line saw those opportunities missed.
Instead, it was the home side who were able to extend their lead further after a fine kick and chase from Krause, which laid the platform for Andy Owens to release Leadbetter with a well-timed pass enabling the centre to touch down in the corner.
Jamie Patient then came on to replace centre Liam Lawton who was forced to leave the field with a leg injury.
With the half drawing to a close, there was a touch of luck about Widnes’ next try, when a loose pass was picked up by Andy Owens who nipped in behind the posts for the score which he also converted.
Anxious not to repeat the mistakes of the Fleetwood game, and secure the additional bonus point, Widnes began the second half in determined fashion, and a booming long-range touch finder from Andy Owens was enough to set up a first try in First Team colours for Jack Krause to make it 22-0.
Tom Spencer then missed a difficult chance as he just failed to collect Jamie Patients chip ahead, before Tom O’Neill showed both strength and power to barge his way over for a try after 55 minutes, with Owens again converting.
After that, a Wids yellow card allowed Oldham to have their best spell on the game camped deep in the home side’s territory, but they were unable to break down a determined defensive line.
Another couple of further Wids try scoring opportunities came and went, before some great pace and footwork from Jack Krause set up the chance for the ever-willing and hardworking Sam Bryan to cross for his first try of the campaign.
Full back Owens also added the extras to round off a good day for the home side.
Head coach Andy McIntosh said afterwards “The lads played well today - some really solid performances across the team. The two lads on home debut showed up well and it was a great reaction after last week especially to keep Oldham scoreless.
It all puts us back in good stead for next few weeks. There were also good wins for the Seconds and Thirds as well so all smiles at the club tonight. Now we turn our attention to our cup game against Didsbury next Saturday”. ● A 43 strong party of players, coaches and supporters will be heading off on tour at the end of the season, to an ‘unknown’ UK destination.
The trip is being organised by current First Team player Liam Lawton, who is putting the finishing touches to the end of season trip. The party will be known as the ‘Angry Bees’ as a follow up to the former ‘Mad Wasps’ touring team.
Liam has done a great job in pulling everything together including the production of a unique new sponsored playing shirt which the team wore last Saturday, and will wear again when they go away on tour.
Representatives of the main sponsor Andymansclub were in attendance at the Club last weekend to help raise awareness of the Charity before having their photograph taken with the team.
Andysmanclub is a Registered Men’s Mental Health Charity, offering free-to-attend talking groups for men and challenging the stigmas around Male Mental Health.
The Charity is named after 23-year-old Andy Roberts - a loving and doting father, son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend - who sadly and tragically and without warning, was taken away from all his family and friends by suicide.
The organisation started off as one group in the small, northern town of Halifax. That first night nine men turned up and spoke. There was a magic in that room that everyone knew had to be shared.
The organisers knew that other guys across the country needed this same experience, and there are now 76 groups and they continue to grow across the UK.
Further information about Andysmanclub can be found at www.andysmanclub.co.uk or contact; info@andysmanclub. co.uk
● Widnes are at home again on Saturday when they host arch rivals Didsbury Toc H in the semifinal of the League Cup.
With the chance of a third successive league title looking increasingly unlikely after the loss at Liverpool St Helens, this fixture probably represents the ‘red-and-blacks’ best chance to revitalise their season by reaching the final and potentially lifting some silverware.
But this will not be an easy game. Didsbury have been the form team of the season so far and currently remain unbeaten. They also got the better of the Wids 29-15 back in September.
Games between the two are always keenly fought affairs with little or nothing to choose between them. And, given what is at stake this weekend, another thriller looks to be in prospect.
The game kicks off at 2.15pm.