Widnes Vikings 8, Leigh 15

Feb 11 2008

THE Vikings’ youngest ever first grade team put in a tremendous effort to push Leigh Centurions all the way in the first competitive home game of the new season.

Northern Rail Cup holders Widnes were edged out by their more experienced opposition, but Steve McCormack’s young guns pushed them to their limits.

McCormack fielded eight players under the age of 21 with youngsters like Shane Grady, Jason Crookes, Steven Roper and Tim Hartley all emerging with credit.

He said: “The game shows how far we have come. I was delighted with the effort. It was a good hard battle and that is the way many fans will see it as well. There wasn’t a load of points in it but sometimes these games are like that. At 2-2 at half time we thought we could have done a bit more as we had some chances. We had a lot of the ball in their half but we needed to be a bit more clinical. We put a lot of effort into getting close to their line, but we maybe needed one or two to take the game by the scruff of the neck.”

Wily Leigh, and former Widnes stars Dennis Moran, Lee Doran and Ian Watson, powered home in the second period. Darren Shaw’s evergreen side had the cutting edge at crucial stages which dragged them over the line.

They had the ambition and adventure in the business end of the field that gave them the advantage.

The Vikings carved out some golden chances but failed to turn pressure into points when it mattered.

The tide began to turn shortly after the break as Leigh flexed their muscles and looked to kick on following the 2-2 arm-wrestle of the first half.

Toa Kohe-Love had an early try ruled out for a double movement.

Widnes’ best play of the half came from Dayne Donoghue, who cut through three Leigh defenders to offload to Roper but the scrum-half was hauled down yards short. The game ignited when Dave McConnell scorched over following a Doran break and Ian Watson’s conversion meant the Vikings’ had to force the issue.Watson cheekily dropped a goal but Vikings responded immediately as Bob Beswick sent over Grady for the 18- year-old’s first ever senior try and Tim Hartley added another goal to his first half tally. Leigh came back at Widnes and following some excellent off-loads, they got themselves into a try scoring position. When Moran gave Wainwright the ball from eight metres out the Vikings couldn’t stop him scoring..

Widnes (2) 8. Tries:@ Grady. Goals: Hartley 2.

Leigh (2) 15. Tries:@ McConnell, Wainwright. Goals: Watson 3. Drop Goals: Watson. Att: 4,032