McCormack praises team character

Apr 3 2008 by Ian Cheveau, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES boss Steve McCormack hailed Sunday’s victory against his previous club as “our best of the season”.

He said: “Towards the end, it was time for the players to be patient and show composure and they did that.

“We gifted Whitehaven three tries in the first half and we had to show fantastic character to come back as Whitehaven are a top-six team.”

The head coach added: “It was a massive play from which we got the chance to win the game.

“We built up some good pressure and the ball just fell to Doddy, who put the kick in and fortunately for us, Smithy was there to take it.

“John Duffy, Tim Hartley or Lee Paterson were in position to take the kick but, for some reason, Gavin put the kick in and it came off. It was a set play!”

The Vikings showed their mettle in what was a fierce encounter.

Widnes were down to two substitutes after only 10 minutes as Scott Yates and Paul Noone were forced to leave the field with knee injuries.

“The second half was the best we have played this season,” admitted McCormack.

“We needed some patience and composure and we showed it

“In the first half, when we came up with back-to-back errors, they got some reward, and we needed to build pressure and get some repeat sets, which we managed to do.”