FALSE PROMISE

Widnes Vikings 4

Wakefield Trinity 12

Report by Andrew Kirchin

THERE was a time at Naughton Park when a mischievous youngster up to no good could have easily lost any pursuant plod by simply blending into the throng.

But in these difficult days such camouflage tactics are not a sensible option for a lad in need of a speedy escape.

Thus, those suffering at the Lowerhouse Lane end on Sunday witnessed the demise of one mucky faced youngster as he was quickly spotted by two officers and ejected.

Of course, the boys in blue ignored the call from the back of the terrace to "make the little bugger stay and suffer" but perhaps this would have been greater punishment than throwing the boy out.

There were more than a few paying customers who looked enviously as he was lead away.

If there has ever been a more depressing time in the history of Widnes RLFC it must have been bad because what is be churned out at the moment is cringeable.

There is no doubt that injuries are playing a big part.

A back line containing John Devereux, Boyce Nelson, Brian Jellick (we are told) and Jamie Bloem would strike much greater fear into visitors than the one they faced on Sunday.

But even if they were to play it is doubtful whether the ball would get out to them.

Yes, Sean Long is a quality player who strived manfully to lead his team and he would provide well for the backs - if he is give the ball going forward.

But at the same time the pack look totally uncoached.

All season the side has been slow around the play the ball and because nothing is going on in back play there is no option but to get the ball out to Long (or whoever has been at second receiver in other games) and let him run across the field in the vain hope of picking up a runner.

Phil Kendrick does this occasionally as does Paul Myler, but the latter involves himself in the game far too infrequently.

Both John Paul Doherty and Anthony Hatton came off the bench and showed enough to suggest promise.

But promises don't lead to points and it is difficult to see where Widnes's next one is coming from.

Having said all this Trinity, inspired by the boot of Aussie ace Brad Davis, made just one break in the entire game and then Steve Boscoe managed to drag down second row Micky Clarkson after a neat game of patacake on his way to the line.

Widnes's slide to the foot of the division was orchestrated by Davis in the first half as he exploited the weakness in the three-quarters.

Chips to the right wing resulted in tries for Roger Kenworthy in the fourth and seventh minute and Jim McLaren just before the break.

Davis's boot completed the misery with three goals.

Widnes's try, bisecting Trinity's second and third, was a cracker.

Long broke from halfway, swapped passes with Boscoe, who put Ashton over.

The second half saw Widnes dominate, and throw away, possession and until Davis dived over from close in with a minute left only a penalty from the same player troubled the scorers.

As Widnes's handling deteriorated so did the refereeing and it was difficult to see why he disallowed two Widnes efforts, when Doherty's pass to David Smith was called forward and then Hatton was called for splitting after darting from acting half and intercepting.

But you make your own luck in rugby league and as the Vikings plummet to the foot of the first division Widnes have got to turn things around quickly.

Widnes Vikings: Boscoe; Reddicliffe, Ashton, Kendrick, Ruane; Long, Waring (Hatton 40); Connor, Gartland (Donno 54), Harrison (Smith 17); Devine (Doherty 47), Myler; Cassidy.

Wakefield Trinity: Rika (Grigg 49); Kenworthy, McLaren, Banquet, Ray; Davis, Trautman; Stephenson (Clarkson 31), Southernwood, Webster (Stephenson 57); Clarkson (Beecraft 20) (Ramsden 61), Judge; Procter.

Referee: Alan Bates (Workington).

Attendance: 1,819.

Keighley Cougars 54

Widnes 6

FIVE tries in the opening 22 minutes sentenced the Vikings to a thumping defeat at Cougar Park last Wednesday.

Only Sean Long, on his debut, Boycie Nelson and Phil Waring came out of the game with any credit as the Cougar's pack demolished their opposite numbers.

It started brightly for Widnes when Nelson put Waring in, but the pass was judged forward and Keighley went on the rampage.

Tries from Ian Gately, Matt Foster, Darren Fleary, Karl Smith and Lafaele Filipo plus four Simon Irving goals put the Cougars 28-0 up at the break.

And after the break Gately again and a hat-trick from former Widnes player Andy Eyres put the result beyond doubt.

Long managed to score a converted try but by the time Foster added his second Widnes prop Ian Connor was sent off for head butting Grant Doorey.

Jim Cassidy and John Donno also spent time in the sin bin for holding down.

Keighley Cougars: Foster; Eyres, Smith, Irving, Wray; Hanlan (Owen 66), Robinson; Filipo (Doorey 58), Cantillon, Gately (Ramshaw 66); Fleary (Cain 59), Julian; Larder.

Widnes Vikings: Bloem (Ashton 24); Reddicliffe, Nelson, Ruane, Boscoe; Long, Waring; Connor, Gartland (Donno 61), Harrison; Hunter (Cassidy 48), Cunningham (Doherty 35); Cassidy (Devine 24).

Referee: Peter Taberner (Wigan).

Attendance: 1,605.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.