Widnes Vikings: Vikings thrash Toulouse (with image gallery)

Mar 13 2009 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES Vikings gave French newcomers Toulouse Olympique a rude awakening in The Co-operative Championship last night.

Newly-appointed head coach Paul Cullen looked on as Vikings did John Stankevitch proud in the caretaker’s last match in charge before reverting to the role of assistant.

They romped home 70-0 at Stobart Stadium Halton to get their league challenge off to an ideal start.

Paddy Flynn blazed in for a hat-trick of tries while the half-back pairing of James Webster and man-of-the-match John Duffy added to their numerous assists by also crossing.

The visitors looked badly under-cooked, having hitherto had just one competitive runout – in Challenge Cup defeat by Sheffield Eagles. But even so, it was an incisive and ruthless Widnes performance.

They continually bored holes in Toulouse’s defence and averaged a point a minute in a first half which saw Flynn score all his tries, the third a trailblazing 35-metre effort.

Duffy, Scott Yates (who missed just one of 12 conversion attempts), Richard Fletcher and Loz Wildbore also went over.

Vikings’ rearguard was by contrast rarely troubled by the opposition defence before the break, although Gilles Dumas’s side made more of an impact in the second half and came close to grabbing a late consolation try.

However, Constant Villegas was held up over the Widnes line and skipper Eric Anselme lost the ball when he had looked set to score.

Cullen will have been delighted with his side’s defensive efforts as much as their ability close to the Toulouse line which led to Fletcher and Wildbore adding second touchdowns after the break when Webster, Shane Grady and Lee Doran also troubled the scorers.

Young Vikings supporters (in French fancy dress for half time disney parade) cheering the first try of the evening. By Ian Cooper.

Vikings player John Duffy scoring the first try of the evening. By Ian Cooper.

Vikings player John Duffy scoring the first try of the evening. By Ian Cooper.

New Vikings manager Paul Cullen with assistant manager John Stankevitch. By Ian Cooper.

Vikings player John Duffy passing the ball. By Ian Cooper.

Vikings player Richard Fletcher scoring a try. By Ian Cooper.

Vikings player Scott Yates about to kick the ball. By Ian Cooper.