Vikings off the rails as cup dream ends

May 29 2008 by Ian Cheveau, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE Vikings were brought back down to earth with a bump following their Challenge Cup heroics in defeat by Hull FC.

Celtic Crusaders gave Steve McCormack’s men a lesson in rugby league to dump the holders out of the Northern Rail Cup.

Widnes entered the game in good spirits after pushing the Super League side from KC Stadium all the way in the Challenge Cup and then getting past high-flying Sheffield Eagles in the league.

But all that work was undone in the space of 80 minutes as the Crusaders put the Vikings to the sword.

Head coach Steve McCormack was forced to hold his hands up and say his team were beaten by the better side on the day.

The Vikings are suffering a number of injuries to key players with Super League experience but that was no excuse – especially after chairman Steve O’Connor had laid on an overnight stop at Bridgend.

It’s the second time Widnes have come unstuck against the Crusaders this season and although the Vikings’ Super League application eclipses the Welsh effort, it is worrying Widnes failed to turn up.

The home side took the lead on 18 minutes through impressive centre Mark Dalle Cort after an incisive Tony Duggan break.

Ten minutes later, former Widnes prop Aaron Summers forced his way over from close range and Damien Quinn knocked over the extras to make it 10-0.

Quinn got on the scoresheet himself on the half-hour mark with a well-taken effort and the game was starting to go pear-shaped for Widnes.

The Vikings hit back, however, just before the interval as Lee Paterson sent in Iain Morrison.

But that was about the best it got for McCormack’s men as Celtic took a stranglehold on the tie.

Dalle Court kept Celtic ticking over with his second of the afternoon.

And while Dean Gaskell kept Widnes in touch with a four-pointer, Jace Van Dikj sent in Chris Beasley for his first Celtic try.

At 32-12, the game was beyond the holders.

Ex-Vikings winger Paul Ballard helped himself to a try double before substitute Steven Roper got one back as merely consolation for Widnes.

Van Dikj rounded off the scoring for the Crusaders, who will play either Salford, Doncaster or Batley in the semi-finals.