Warrington Wolves 16

Widnes Vikings 24

WARRINGTON Wolves were a shambles on Good Friday as they lost their unbeaten record at the new Halliwell Jones Stadium to the worst possible side.

And the fact that the result represented arch-rivals Widnes Vikings' first win of the season was another kick in the teeth.

Wolves coach Paul Cullen said: "There was not a positive in sight."

Cullen was particularly displeased with the lack of fighting spirit his side showed.

Wolves dominated the game in terms of territory and possession but they looked clueless on the fifth and sixth tackles, specially in the second half, and the majority of their players were more than happy to pass the buck.

There were too many passers and not enough runners in Wolves' ranks and Cullen accused his team of 'attempting to bore Widnes to death'.

He also rubbished his side's kicking game and it was easy to see why.

In the absence of skipper Lee Briers Wolves kicked the ball straight to the opposition all afternoon.

Widnes, on the other hand, produced a master class of tactical kicking.

Aussie maestro Jules O'Neill pinned Wolves back on to their own line at every opportunity and Warrington full back Daryl Cardiss had to be at his best to minimize the damage.

Cardiss was as solid as a rock under the high ball while Jerome Guisset and Mike Forshaw also impressed for Wolves.

Guisset was rewarded for an all action performance in the second row with his second successive two-try haul and Forshaw underlined his world class reputation with a faultless display at loose forward.

But they were given little support and Wolves' game was littered with errors.

A host of missed tackles enabled Widnes to break the 20-point barrier for the first time this season and Wolves fans will now dread the thought of history repeating itself.

Since Widnes gained promotion to the top flight in 2001 it has proved to be all or nothing in the Cheshire 'derbies'. They whitewashed Wolves in 2002 and Warrington turned the tide to repeat the feat the following year.

Will the trend continue?

Match facts

Tetley's Super League IX

Round Five, April 9, 2004

Warrington Wolves 16

Widnes Vikings 24

Wolves: Daryl Cardiss; Brent Grose, Paul Noone, Ben Westwood, Ian Sibbit; Gary Hulse, Nathan Wood; Paul Wood, Jon Clarke, Mark Hilton, Jerome Guisset, Mike Wainwright, Mike Forshaw. Subs used: Mark Gleeson, Richard Varkulis, Warren Stevens, Danny Lima.

Vikings: Steve Rowlands; Nicky Royle, Adam Hughes, Aaron Moule, Chris Giles; Jules O'Neill, Stephen Myler; Robert Relf, Shane Millard, David Mills, Andy Hay, Troy Wozniak, Simon Finnegan. Subs used: Paul Atcheson, Steve McCurrie, Deon Bird, Julian O'Neill.

Referee: Ronnie Laughton

Attendance: 11,413

Interesting note: The result represented Widnes' first win of the season and Wolves' first defeat at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Scoring: Guisset slides over, 5mins, Noone adds touchline conversion, 6-0. Giles touches down, 14mins, Jules O'Neill goal, 6-6. Finnegan try, 21mins, Jules O'Neill converts, 6-12. Guisset crosses again, 38mins, Noone adds extras, 12-12. Half-time. Royle speeds over, 43mins, Jules O'Neill goal, 12-18. Lima barges through, 47mins, 16-18. Millard burrows over, 55mins, Jules O'Neill converts.

Penalties: Wolves 8 Vikings 3

Scrums: Wolves 8 Vikings 5

Warrington Guardian top men: Daryl Cardiss 3pts, Jerome Guisset 2pts, Mike Forshaw 1pt. Ratings will be accumulated throughout the year.