Humiliation for Widnes in Northern Rail Cup

May 26 2008

NORTHERN Rail Cup holders Widnes Vikings were dumped out of the competition in humiliating fashion after they suffered their biggest defeat of the season at the hands of license rivals Celtic Crusaders.

Widnes coach Steve McCormack was forced to admit that his side were “very poor” after he watched the Welsh outfit run in 10 tries.

He said: “This was a disappointing defeat for us. Fair play to Celtic, I thought they were very clinical. The stats in the first half set the tone when they had 23 sets to our 11.

“I’m very upset in the manner of our defeat and obviously disappointed to lose our grasp on the Northern Rail Cup.

“We were very poor today but take nothing away from John Dixon and his team, the way his team played was superb and they’re starting to become a force at this level.”

The Vikings are suffering a number of injuries to key players with Super League experience but on this occasion there was no excuse – especially after chairman Steve O’Connor laid on an overnight stop at Bridgend, which is minutes from the Brewery Field ground.

It’s the second time Widnes have come unstuck against the Crusaders this season and although the Vikings’ Super League bid eclipses the Welsh effort, it is worrying Widnes failed to turn up.

The home side took the lead on 18 minutes through impressive centre Mark Dalle Court following an incisive Tony Duggan break.

Ten minutes later former Widnes prop Aaron Summers forced his way over from close range and Damien Quinn knocked over the extras to make it 10-0.

Quinn got on the score sheet himself on the half-hour mark with a well-taken effort and the game was starting to go pear-shaped for Widnes.

The Vikings hit back, however, minutes before the interval as Lee Paterson sent in Iain Morrison but that was about the best it got for McCormack’s men as Celtic took a stranglehold on the tie.

Dalle Court got Celtic ticking over with his second of the afternoon but Dean Gaskell kept Widnes in touch with a four-pointer.

Jace Van Dikj sent in Chris Beasley for his first ever Celtic try and at 32-12 the game was beyond the holders.

Ex-Vikings winger Paul Ballard helped himself to a double, before substitute Steven Roper had got one back for Widnes but it was merely a consolation.

Van Dikj rounded up the scoring for the Crusaders who will now play either Salford, Doncaster or Batley in the semi-final.

Crusaders’ coach John Dixon said: “We were pretty good today. We played with some endeavour and flair and got some rewards for it so it was a good outing for us.”