Widnes achieve play-off place despite loss

Aug 25 2008 by Ian Cheveau, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Vikings had to settle for a sixth-placed finish in the final Co-operative National League 1 standings after Whitehaven got the better of Steve McCormack’s men on his return to his old club.

Widnes now have a play-off against Halifax as they finished third behind Salford and Celtic Crusaders who meet each other.

The Vikings could have been ranked third in the league themselves and would have had a home draw in the play-offs if their nine point penalty would not had been imposed.

But ultimately play-off football for the Vikings means that the club have achieved its goals set by McCormack at the start of the campaign.

Widnes threw everything at Whitehaven and had chances to win it at the death but Ged Stokes’ side did enough to hang on.

Vikings boss McCormack’s unblemished unbeaten record at his former club and stomping ground was smashed as the home side picked up the three points.

The game was as fiery as any in the National League this season as the Vikings had Michael Ostick sent off for a high shot and Richard Fletcher given his marching orders for 10 minutes by St Helens referee Steve Ganson.

Whitehaven were also reduced to 12 men as substitute Scott Tear was dismissed. An incident involving both sets of players was also placed on report early doors as the Vikings and Haven struggled to keep their discipline as a mass brawl erupted.

It was the home side who reacted the better and they built up a 12-6 lead at the break thanks to tries from Scott MacAvoy and Rob Jackson.

Widnes winger Gavin Dodd notched a try to put the Vikings in contention in the second period.

Further tries from Dean Gaskell and Gareth Morton soon followed but efforts from Tane Manhera and Gregg McNally sealed it.