Morton so close to being a hero

Aug 28 2008 by Paul Glynn, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES couldn’t quite ride through the storm of a tempestuous last game of the regular season which saw a couple of players – including Michael Ostick – sent off and two of his Vikings team-mates sinbinned.

Supporters making the long bank holiday weekend trip to Cumbria saw their side suffer narrow defeat at the Recreation Ground – one which finally blew away hopes of a home play-off tie.

Steve McCormack’s side fell victim to resilient Whitehaven’s impressive home record, but the visitors could so easily have snatched victory late on.

Widnes finish in sixth place, one below Whitehaven, with Leigh, as had seemed likely, claiming the last home play-off berth in fourth position after overcoming a fright to triumph at Batley.

Whitehaven had taken the lead when a chip was gathered by Gary Broadbent, who in turn fed Rob Jackson to score.

Tane Manihera, like Broadbent a former Widnes man, converted before adding a penalty goal to give his side an early 8-0 advantage.

Widnes hit back when centre Steve Tyrer released Gavin Dodd to touch down and Tyrer himself added the extras.

Whitehaven substitute Scott Teare hadn’t been on the pitch for long when he was given his marching orders by referee Stuart Ganson for a dangerous tackle on Ostick.

However, this did little to stop Haven’s dominance and Scott Mc- Avoy capitalised on uncertainty in the Widnes defence, collecting a cross-field bomb to go over and extend his side’s lead to 12-6.

Manihera landed another penalty just after the break, before Widnes replied through winger Dean Gaskell.

However, the momentum soon swung back the other way again as a series of successful penalties put Whitehaven back in charge at 20-10.

To make matters worse for Vikings, forward Richard Fletcher was sent to the sin bin and soon Ostick was dismissed for a tackle on Howard Hill.

As Fletcher returned to the action, Vikings substitute Martin McLoughlin replaced him in the cooler.

The 11 men of Widnes gave the travelling faithful something to cheer about when Gareth Morton combined well with Dean Gaskell to cross.

Just before the hooter, Morton so nearly made himself the hero of the hour but, instead, he failed to hold on to a raking Lee Paterson pass with the line at his mercy.

Steve McCormack’s men will now travel to Halifax a week tonight (Thursday, September 4) to begin their play-off charge.