Smith out for sweet revenge

Feb 21 2008 by Ian Cheveau, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

VIKINGS skipper Mark Smith has led the war cry for this Sunday’s Northern Rail Cup Group Six decider at Leigh Centurions (ko 3pm).

Widnes know a Hilton Park win against the section leaders, who have already triumphed at Stobart Stadium Halton, would put them in pole position for the remaining qualifiers.

Smith reckons his side are raring to go, having enjoyed a weekend off following the frozen pitch debacle at Stobart Stadium.

Widnes’ clash with Barrow Raiders was called off hours before kick-off due to the pitch being frozen on the South Stand side.

Smith believes Vikings’ rest could be bad news for the Centurions as the players are “chomping on the bit”.

He said: “It’s unusual that you play a side two games on the trot but that is what is going to happen.

“The rest has done us good but the players were ready to go against Barrow and to say we were disappointed to have it called off so late was a big understatement.

“But now that means we are fresh for Leigh and we are physically in the best shape possible to readdress what went on when we played them at home.”

Smith claims he was “filthy” with his own performance against the Centurions and the team as a unit were unhappy with a home defeat to their fierce National League rivals.

He added: “I have not had the best start to the season and I want to put that right.

“We do want to get the win at Hilton Park and get one back.

“Leigh are top of the league at the moment and we obviously want that number one spot as we want to defend our trophy. We didn’t play that great at home but there were a lot of positives that came out of it, particularly how the younger players went and they showed some of us how to do it.”

Smith is returning to the ground which has been unlucky for him as a player – especially after the incident last season that resulted in a 26-man brawl with Smith needing hospital treatment.

And the Vikings hooker says he is looking for a big performance to erase memories of that defeat.

He said: “It wasn’t nice what happened last year and a line has been drawn under that.

“But we all know that Leigh-Widnes games have always been a bit tasty and we are expecting a physical game again. There was no animosity or anything when we played two weeks ago but we know it will be tough.

“The pressure is all on Leigh. They are unbeaten and top the group so the pressure is on their shoulders.

“The only pressure we have is to perform to the levels we know we can.”

The postponed home fixture against Barrow will be staged next Wednesday, February 27 (8pm). Tickets for the original game will be valid.

Supporters unable to attend the rearranged match should write to the club before February 26, enclosing their match ticket and a stamped addressed envelope.

They will be entitled to a ticket for an alternative fixture later in the season.