Widnes St Marie's 19 Ulverston 12

AFTER frightening National Conference Champions Thatto Heath the Marie's suffered a minor hangover in disposing of the Cumbrians.

The first 20 minutes hinted a Saints landslide as a well practiced game plan pinned Ulverston in their 25.

Fine moves and kicks from halves Mark Birmingham and Mark Keenan bore fruit on 10 minutes.

Some slick interplay from the two was well backed up by Phil Lester and Ste O'Brien who ran in under the posts. Keenan added the conversions.

The Marie's then switched off for the second quarter and became involved in a forward wrestling match, which resulted in two defensive errors and saw Clough and Fleming score with Thompson adding the extras.

A move right across the field through Barry Quinn, O'Brien, Anthony Hollins and Mark Birmingham ended with rampant winger Lester racing in to score.

The purpose, grit and most importantly the tactics of the Maries returned after the break and Will Tilleke, Paul Whitley and M.O.M Hollins all earned hard yards from the Cumbrians.

Attacks from John Wilson and loose forward Tony Hannon put pressure on Ulverston who conceded a converted Mark Keenan penalty.

Smart thinking from Hollins also allowed Keenan to sneak a drop goal and Marie's victory was complete when Tongan terrors Billy Tiuono and Harmoni Tuavao ripped the Ulverston defence apart to put Kevin Birmingham in for a try.

Further attempts came close but the Marie's had to be satisfied with a deserved 19-12 win.

On Saturday the first team are away to Barrow Island and the second team are away to Latchford.