Vikings prove point against top Reds

Apr 17 2008 by Ian Cheveau, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE Vikings maintained their unbeaten Co-operative National League run with an outstanding display against table-toppers Salford, writes IAN CHEVEAU.

Widnes saved their best performance of the season so far for its biggest game to date.

Although they took two points back to Stobart Stadium Halton the black and whites had every reason to feel disappointed they didn’t land all three – the effort they put in certainly justified it.

Head coach Steve McCormack hailed all involved following the performance.

He said: “It was a magnificent effort from everyone, the players, backroom staff, medical staff and fans.

“The fact we were disappointed not to win shows how far we have come in the last few months.

“We've now got 11 points out of a possible 12 and it shows that all the hard work brings its rewards.

‘I thought the performance of the fans was one of the best since I've been at the club.”

The Vikings played some sublime rugby league in the first half to outclass the Reds in the early exchanges.

Widnes got off to a flying start as stand-off Lee Paterson, one of their top performers, raced 50 metres and was unlucky to be hauled down just short of what would have been a deserved try.

Danny Hill also came close for Widnes as he burst onto a deft John Duffy pass but Salford’s scrambling defence managed to collar him only yards out.

The Reds couldn’t get into the game and when Tommy Gallagher offloaded to Jim Gannon from close range, the big Aussie wasn’t going to be stopped.

The Vikings came close again on 27 minutes when Bob Beswick’s kick was fumbled by Salford’s Andy Ballard but young Paddy Flynn couldn’t pick up the pieces.

Salford’s first-half points came from Andrew Brocklehurst’s try and Ballard’s 40th-minute penalty.

City Reds started the better of the sides after the interval and converted pressure into points as full-back Robbie Paul and stand-off Stefan Ratchford began to click. Ballard darted over out wide to give Salford the lead and when Vikings full-back Scott Yates misjudged a towering Ratchford “bomb”, Jordan Turner crossed from the proceeding scrum.

Widnes’ could have caved in as City Reds looked to kick on. But Mark Smith, Beswick and Duffy gave the Vikings a huge lift with some excellent plays before the outstanding Hill stretched out to score.

Hartley missed the conversion but Widnes played percentage rugby to mount a frantic late attack. With time ticking away, Paterson launched a high hanging kick to the Salford left flank where Dodd outjumped Phil Joseph to touch down for the equalising try.

The Vikings could have won it by knocking over a one-pointer but Smith chose to run the power play on the final tackle.