Title-chasing Douglas too strong for Widnes
DOUGLAS ................................................. 27 WIDNES....................................................... 3
WIDNES lost their latest South Lancs/Cheshire One fixture across the Irish Sea, falling to promotion chasing Douglas in the Isle of Man.
The result, however, belies an outstanding defensive effort throughout the game which was played in gloomy and monsoon-like conditions for most of the 80 minutes, and which left the players all but un-recognisable by the time the final whistle blew.
The Manxmen have been one of the form teams of the competition this year and have a huge pack at their disposal which they used to good effect in the miserable conditions.
And, whilst they went on to secure the necessary victory, the visitors were able to deny them the additional bonus point they desperately needed to keep up the pressure on division pacesetters Manchester. In fact, if it wasn’t for the trusty boot of stand-off Bryn Snelgrove – who did not miss a kick all afternoon – and a very late try, the losing margin would have been far less flattering than the final scoreline suggested.
Douglas took an early lead after three minutes when Snelgrove booted over his first three-pointer of the afternoon.
Widnes replied with some pressure of their own before a forward pass ended that particular passage of play.
A booming midfield tackle from centre Dave Welsh then had the crowd on its feet. The referee, however, though, saw it differently and awarded the home side a penalty which allowed Snelgrove to double his side’s advantage.
Widnes were then able to defy the tricky handling conditions with a fine passage of play with Liam Lawton linking up to create the extra man before wingman Antony Leadbetter was bundled into touch by the corner flag.
The pressure from the visitors continued, though, and after 12 minutes Kevin Leadbetter converted a penalty to get the Wids onto the scoreboard.
The remainder of the half developed ● SOUTH LANCS/CHESHIRE ONE into something of a midfield battle in the deteriorating conditions, but it was the home side who were able to add to their tally on 35 minutes with a try following a rolling maul close to the Widnes line.
The try and conversion meant that the teams went into the break with Douglas leading by 13-3.
With the huge black rain clouds continuing to dominate proceedings and the pitch better suited to ducks, Widnes got the second half underway, and it was not long before they were under pressure again close to their own line.
The away team’s cause was not helped when they then lost a man to the sin-bin for 10 minutes which allowed the big Douglas pack to get to work and crash over for another try from close range. With the conversion also going over the score had now gone up to 20-3.
Despite the deficit and the worsening conditions which were alien to their nor- mal style of play, Widnes were occasionally able to break free of the Douglas stranglehold and there was an exciting long range break by Welsh to excite their larger than normal band of followers.
The home side were finally able to confirm the result with another try from close-range with the inevitable conversion sailing over from touch.
With the result assured and the minutes ticking down, Douglas pressed for another try and the bonus point.
But, Widnes were strong enough and resilient enough to keep them at bay for the remainder of this damp and soggy contest.
Head coach Lee McDermott said afterwards: “Although we are disappointed to have lost, we were so proud of the lads’ performance and attitude.
“Our defence was first class and we made over 150 tackles in what was a really tough game.” ● Widnes’s second XV maintained their dash for promotion from Division Three South with a comfortable victory over Lymm by a final score of 54-17. They were red hot in the first half, but were outscored in the second period following a spirited Lymm comeback. ● Widnes’s thirds lost more ground in Division Five West and dropped out of the promotion places following a disappointing 24-0 defeat at Sefton. ● Widnes’s U15s outfit progressed into the Lancashire Plate following a 29-12 win over Ormskirk in dreadful conditions. Widnes’s tries came from Jack Conlan, Tom Barnard, Thomas Wright, Nathan Outten and Josh Kenwright along with two conversions. ● Widnes host their penultimate home game of the season on Saturday, when they entertain New Brighton at Heath Road. Lee McDermott’s boys put in a disappointing performance in the last game at Reeds Lane in November going down by 24-15 so will be on the lookout for revenge.
The two clubs are currently locked together in eighth and ninth places in the table with the Heath Road side just one point adrift but with a game in hand. But, with a run of four of their last five games away from home, Widnes really do need to pick up a victory.
Spectators are reminded that games now kick-off at the later time of 3pm. ●