McCormack left fuming despite ugly victory

Jul 12 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

WIDNES Vikings coach Steve McCormack was fuming at the final whistle despite his team registering an ugly victory after they conceded two late tries and a valuable bonus point at the hands of brave Batley Bulldogs.

McCormack’s face was like thunder after he watched his side finish with a whimper, letting in a late two late tries which resulted in Batley taking home a point which they should never have been entitled to.

The Vikings were on fire in the opening 13 minutes, crossing for three tries through John Duffy, Bob Beswick and Lee Paterson but plucky Batley battled away and they were in contention late on and were unlucky not to take home something more concrete than a bonus point.

Steve Tyrer and Ben Kavanagh had even touched down unopposed on 15 minutes later to further Widnes’ advantage before they let Batley back in it.

McCormack said: “The most important thing for us was that we got the win. We put in a professional first half performance but we let ourselves down badly in the second period on the back of a high penalty count which was a mixture of indiscipline and other things.

“All credit to Batley and the way they played in the second half but we allowed them to do what they did and that was disappointing.

“The only positive performance was that of Paddy Flynn and that was it – no one else.

“But the main thing was that we got the result. What they did in the second half was irrelevant on the scoreboard as we got the win.”

For the record Batley took the second half hands down 16-6 as Widnes put in a wretched defensive effort. The Vikings couldn’t find the same professionalism and cutting edge that came easily in the first half.

Matty Smith was the man of the match for the Vikings and he had a hand or boot in the majority of Widnes tries. He laid on the crucial try for Dean in the second half with an excellent kick which ultimately gave Widnes victory and was at the hub of the Vikings’ attack for the majority of the game.

That was about the best it got for Widnes in the final 40 minutes as Batley took advantage of the gaping Widnes holes. James Archibald, Ian Preece and Kevin Crouthers followed up Kris Lythe’s 18th- minute try with Kevin King landing three conversions.