Rugby League: Whitehaven 6, Widnes 54

Jul 16 2007 by Ian Laybourn, Liverpool Daily Post

WIDNES head coach Steve McCormack paid tribute to his side’s all-round display after they claimed the Northern Rail Cup with a 54-6 victory over Whitehaven in Blackpool.

The rampaging Vikings had too much firepower and class and following a clinical first-half display, they eased their way to a deserved victory yesterday.

Widnes half-back Dennis Moran was the tormentor in chief, and the Australian stand-off had a hand in nearly every Vikings score, delivering a masterclass performance for the Black and Whites.

McCormack said: “I am absolutely delighted. I certainly feel better than I did in previous finals! We were clinical in everything we did today and we kept our discipline all the way through.

“We kept our heads and I thought our discipline was excellent.

“I did not expect us to be ahead so early on as I was anticipating a really close-scoring game, but we were clinical in what we did – we started well and we kept the momentum up.

“It’s a one-off competition and there is a long way to go in the league but we will really enjoy tonight and then get back into it tomorrow.

“Dennis Moran was excellent but he will be the first to say that he couldn’t do it without the help of his team mates.

“I am also delighted for Mark Smith as he has picked up his first winner’s medal and trophy as Widnes captain and it was a special moment for him.”

The game was effectively over after half an hour as the Vikings ran in five unanswered tries.

Toa Kohe-Love was the first to cross after only seven minutes, and then Mick Nanyn got the conversion and another penalty goal.

The Vikings then turned on the style, and Moran first sent in Scott Grix and then Damien Blanch in a devastating three-minute spell. Nanyn powered over next for the Vikings, and it was becoming increasingly embarrassing for Whitehaven.

Loose forward Bob Beswick fired a long ball out to Lee Doran, who simply had to fall on the line to register another Widnes try.

Two minutes after the break captain Mark Smith strolled over, and Blanch helped himself to another after linking up with the excellent Love.

Carl Rudd got Whitehaven on the scoreboard with a solo effort, but it was merely a consolation. Nanyn, who finished the game with 22 points, knocked over another penalty goal late on.

Moran capped off his fine display with a four-pointer nine minutes from time, and winger Dean Gaskell touched down late on.

Whitehaven coach Dave Rotherham said: “The penalty count hurt us, as did the sin-binning. They scored 12 points while we had one in the bin and I thought that was very harsh.

“It’s a sombre changing room in there but we have still got a lot to play for this season.

“We’re disappointed but when you give a team like Widnes so much field position and possession they will punish you.”