It’s Bold Trafford as Widnes win yet again
TRAFFORD MV ....................................... 27 WIDNES..................................................... 57 IDNES all but booked their place in the semi-finals of the League Cup following this nine try demolition job of host side Trafford MV last Saturday afternoon.
It was the second time in three weeks that the ‘ Red-and-Blacks’ had come away from MacPherson Park with an important victory, which also represented an eighth straight win in all competitions that will add confidence as they approach their last three league matches of 2018.
The conditions for the game were almost perfect. There was some weak late autumn sunshine mixed in with a strong chilly wind, but the pitch was in great condition and ideal for some freeflowing rugby.
And, that was how it looked as the game got underway, where some quick Widnes hands were immediately on show as Mike Garrity’s long cut out pass saw Gavin Hatton cross wide out for a try in the corner. Andy Owens then booted over a superb touchline conversion to make it 7-0 after just three minutes.
The visitors’ lead was not to last for too long though, as the home side capitalised on back-to-back penalties to get Andrew Moore in for a try which was easily converted by Pat Eccles.
The suggestions were beginning to look like this was going to be another open game, and just six minutes later some deft handling involving both backs and forwards ended with Ryan Millington crossing for another Widnes try.
Owens was again on target with the difficult touchline effort.
Widnes were then penalised by the referee, and Eccles converted the kick to make the score 14-10.
Despite their narrow advantage, the visitors continued to look good value, and their extra footballing ability always looked likely to pay dividends on the back of some big defence.
And, that was how it panned out on 26 minutes, as more crisp handling saw fellow centre Jamie Patient reach out to score a third try with Owens again boot-
W● ● ing over the extras.
It was to get even better for the visitors five minutes later as the impressive Millington sliced through again before chipping ahead for Tom O’Neill to collect and race in behind the uprights to score a bonus point try.
With Owens tacking on the conversion, the advantage had suddenly now increased to 18 points.
Trafford, though, continued to have plenty to offer, and they immediately came roaring back into the contest with a converted try from James Matthie, which was then followed by another Eccles penalty to leave the game evenly poised at half-time.
Widnes needed some calm heads and a positive start to the second period if they were to repel any early notion of a Trafford fightback.
Fortunately, they were able to do just that, as Owens raced through a gap before side-stepping his opposite num- ber from distance to score an outstanding individual try which he also converted himself.
The visitors were then helped further as a Trafford player chose to continue a discussion with his opposite number despite advice from the referee and received a yellow card for his troubles. That proved to be extremely costly, as Mike Jones was able to pick up the ball from the base of an eight-man shove in the scrum to score.
If that was not bad enough, some quick thinking from Josh Kenyon saw the scrum-half race clear before handing on to Antony Leadbetter who scored another try.
Next up, it was the turn of the Leadbetter brothers – Kevin and Antony – to combine for the latter to dive over in at the corner for his second try thanks to a pinpoint chip through behind an advancing Trafford defence.
With the result assured – and the clock counting down rapidly – there was still plenty of exciting action during the closing moments.
After a Widnes player was also invited to spend 10 minutes on the touchline, Trafford were quickly able to add a late consolation try.
There was, however, an immediate reply from the visitors as Justin Winstanley caught the home side unawares with a quick tap and go to crash over for their final try and round off a great day at the office for the Heath Road outfit.
Head coach Andy McIntosh said: “Obviously we are delighted with the win which should put us through to the semi-finals.
“The teamwork, spirit, attitude and enthusiasm shown by all of the squad over recent weeks both on and off the pitch has been exemplary, and we look to maintain our current forward momentum in the run up to Christmas and beyond.”