Vikings trio are on the March

Apr 10 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THREE Widnes players have seen their March performances recognised with places in The Co-operative National League One’s team of the month.

Winger Dean Gaskell was pipped to the award for the top player by Salford’s rising former Widnes star half-back Richard Myler.

But Gaskell along with team-mates, prop Jim Gannon and loose-forward Bob Beswick, has been named in the form team.

At just 17-year-old, Myler has been instrumental in the City Reds, like Widnes, winning the first three rounds of the competition.

The choices were based on the selections ofLeague Weekly’smatch reporters and Co-operative National League One coaches.

Myler edged out team-mate Ian Sibbit and Gaskell for the main award.

Salford coach Shaun McRae has praised Myler's contribution.

“He's developing really well," he said. “Four or five weeks ago, I dropped him out of the team for one week because I wasn't quite happy with his form and he has responded really well.

“He's a fine player. I have to keep reminding myself that he's only 17. He's got a lot of developing to do, emotionally and from a technical point of view, but he's handled the role very well.”

Myler, who moved to The Willows from Widnes's Academy on a three-year deal at the start of the season, is one of four Salford players in the team of the month.

It is: 1 Jonny Woodcock (Sheffield Eagles); 2 Dean Gaskell (Widnes Vikings), 3 Kevin King (Batley Bulldogs), 4 Chris Langley (Dewsbury Rams), 5 Danny Mills (Sheffield Eagles); 6 Stefan Ratchford (Salford City Reds), 7 Richard Myler (Salford City Reds); 8 Craig Stapleton (Salford City Reds),

9 Sean Penkywicz (Halifax), 10 Jim Gannon (Widnes Vikings), 11 Ian Sibbit (Salford City Reds), 12 Chris Beasley (Celtic Crusaders), 13 Bob Beswick (Widnes Vikings)