Hill sets standard as brace seals win

May 22 2008 by Ian Cheveau, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES boss Steve McCormack is expecting even bigger and better things from his double try-scoring hero Danny Hill who inspired the Vikings to victory over plucky Eagles.

McCormack hopes Sunday’s blockbusting brace of tries will spur the former Wigan Warriors and Hull FC man on to developing into one of the best second rows in National League.

He said: “Danny never let his intensity level drop and he put in a great effort.

“He scored two tries and did a lot of good work and I think he’s had his best game for the club – not just because of his tries but his overall contribution. I think it can spur him on to be the player we all know he can be.”

Iain Morrison wasn’t far behind Hill in the performance stakes, the prop forward continuing to shine for the Vikings. His go-forward gave Widnes endless opportunities to finish the game off before half-time but the Vikings were not clinical enough in the final third.

Even Eagles head coach Mark Aston felt the game should have been over before the break as Widnes dominated possession and field position.

He said: “We have not had a better chance to beat Widnes at home than we had there.

“We were lucky to be in touch after the first half. The players are disappointed with their effort.

“We could have got a result as Widnes didn’t put us to the sword when they had the chance.

“We didn’t play as well as we did against Salford. We got a bonus point but credit to Widnes – they did enough.”

Lee Paterson got Widnes off to an impressive start, touching down from close range.

Hill got his first of the afternoon ten minutes later but Alex Szostak kept the Eagles in touch as he stretched over to plant the ball on the Widnes whitewash.

Dean Gaskell restored order for Widnes seven minutes from the break as he sneaked over out wide.

Gavin Dodd’s three goals kept Widnes ahead after Adam Hayes had crossed for the visitors.

Dodd inched Widnes further in front with a penalty goal four minutes after the restart but that effort was more than cancelled out as James Ford put Danny Mills over for a well-worked try.

The Vikings hit back immediately with Paterson’s high hanging restart not being dealt with by the Eagles and from Morrison’s marauding run, John Duffy put Hill over for a crucial score.

Jim Gannon rounded off the scoring for the Vikings but Sheffield weren’t done and Woodcock had the final say on the hooter.

McCormack said: “We had to scrap all the way through the game and I was very pleased to come out with the win.

“We didn’t build enough pressure as we were trying to score off every set.

“We got a result early on from kicking to their winger, but we didn't do it again until the 40th minute.

“The main thing is that we got the win and are pulling away from the bottom of the table.

“They are no easy beats and we knew that before the game.

“We need to be a bit more clinical with the ball. We have plenty to work on.”