Widnes lose crown to worthy champions
ADM PREMIER LEAGUE WIDNES ........................... 19 DIDSBURY TOC H ......... 24
DIDSBURY showed their Championship credentials with a fine second half comeback to win the game with a late try and claim their first ever ADM Premier League Title.
Despite a terrific Widnes effort, the South Manchester outfit were worthy winners in the end and deserving of the title of ‘League Champions’ for the 2021/22 season. They have been the best side in the competition all year remaining unbeaten in the league so far with a 100% record.
The game itself was a real thriller and a great advert for the quality of rugby on show in the ADM Premier League.
Meanwhile, Widnes – despite having to finally hand over their mantel after two outstanding seasons – still have plenty to play for. Not only did they contribute greatly to this match, their season is not yet over having reached the final of the League Cup and the semi-final of the Lancashire Cup.
All the ingredients for an exciting afternoon were there in the build up to the game. The weather was dry, bright and sunny. The pitch looked immaculate and there was a big, shirt-sleeved crowd in attendance.
As expected, the game began in high tempo fashion with both sides looking to seek out an early advantage.
The opening quarter flew by, before some sustained Widnes pressure paid off as wing man Jack Krause squeezed in at the corner for the opening try. Josh Kenyon then booted over an outstanding touchline conversion for a 7-nil lead.
The same pair then almost combined again, as the winger just failed to get on the receiving end of the stand-off’s booming up and under.
On the half hour mark, a lightening quick break from Didsbury scrum-half Josh Vize was diffused, but the Wids relief was short-lived as Justin Rowland barged his way over from close range with Jack Akrigg converting to make it all square again at 7 - 7.
Five minutes later, a high shot on Lee Holland created another Wids opportunity enabling that man Krause to pop up on the opposite flank and create the overlap from where he was able to cross for his second try of the afternoon.
The home side then had to deal with a whole load of Didsbury pressure as they desperately sought to get their noses back in front as half-time approached.
A narrow 12-7 lead was never going to be enough for the Wids, but when Didsbury coughed up an early second half penalty, the home were able to take full advantage as Matt Blakey crashed over wide out for a try which was again goaled in style from touch by Player of the Match Josh Kenyon.
After that, Widnes were forced into some serious defensive work, and only a fantastic try saving tackle from Lee Holland denied impressive Didsbury hooker, Harry Jones.
Eventually the pressure would tell though and when Cameron Oldershaw barged over for a try converted by Akrigg, it really was game on again at 19-12.
Didsbury continued to turn up the heat further and it took some even more outstanding defence to keep the Wids lead intact. However, it wasn’t long before an eight-man shove got them over for another try to get them within just two points.
Despite still being behind, and with not too much time left on the clock, it felt like the pendulum had now turned, and that it was almost inevitable that despite the Wids heroic rear-guard action, it would indeed be Didsbury’s day to show their Championship credentials.
And, that was how it turned out, as the visitors found a chink in the ‘redand-blacks’ defensive armour to crash over for the decisive match winning score.
It hardly mattered that Jack Akrigg also had time to add the conversion attempt, the game was over and Didsbury were the Champions.
Head coach Andy McIntosh said afterwards: “I cannot fault the lads’ effort and honesty today. Everyone in the team was fully committed and we just ran out of gas in the last 10 mins after soaking up a lot pressure which Didsbury capitalised on.
“Congratulations to them. These are always fast, hard and enjoyable games but today we fell a bit short - not through lack of effort.
“We still have plenty for us to go at this season, with two cups still up for grabs. We welcome Aldwinians next week, and successive home games is very rare this season”.
● Elsewhere, the Third team continued their impressive run of form with a tremendous 41 -23 win away from home at Ellesmere Port. The team are now up to sixth in the table with just two rounds left in the Halbro Leagues Division Four West.
● As Head coach Andy McIntosh mentioned, Widnes are at home for a second week in a row on Saturday, when they take on Aldwinians at Heath Road in their latest Premier League fixture.
The ‘red-and-blacks’ were in peerless form during the last meeting between the sides back in early December, when they ran out comfortable winners in the monsoon like conditions at Audenshaw Park.
After losing their grip on the title last weekend, the ‘Heath Roaders’ will be keen to get back to winning ways as they look to secure the runners-up spot in the Premier League.
This will not be an easy game though, and their Manchester opponents will be more than happy to add further to the Wids disappointment as they plot a revenge mission.
The game kicks off at 2.15pm.