Vikings’ Super show

Jun 26 2008 by Ian Cheveau, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE Vikings gave their broadest hint yet to Rugby Football League chiefs that they have what it takes to be a Super League hit, writes IAN CHEVEAU.

Steve McCormack’s new- look Widnes treated a record-breaking National League crowd to a feast of rugby league in front of millions of television viewers.

Widnes looked a top-flight club in every way, shape and form.

New crowd hero Steve Tyrer crossed twice; a scintillating big-match atmosphere was among the best in the modern era at Widnes and smashing the NL attendance record would have looked impossible this time last year.

All this should have reinforced the view to onlooking top brass at Stobart Stadium Halton that Widnes warrant Super League status more than any other club in the division.

Tyrer, having only put pen to paper on his loan deal on the morning of the match, carried his excellent St Helens form into this crunch clash.

He dragged the Vikings back from the brink after Salford had racked up a 16-4 interval advantage.

Matty Smith and Chris Dean, O’Connor’s other two signings from Knowsley Road, were also in top form.

A sensational victory didn’t look on the cards in the first half as Salford dominated the scoresheet without hitting the top gears.

The huge occasion initially got to Widnes’ young squad in front of 8,189.

All three Widnes stands were packed while Salford’s modest following was drowned out by the Viking army.

The home hordes didn’t have much to shout about at first though as Salford took a stranglehold.

Richard Fletcher had hit an early goal for Widnes from in front.

Three minutes later, Paul White finished off a sweeping City Reds move on the left.

The Reds blew a second opportunity while Widnes should have scored on 25 minutes.

Stand-in hooker Bob Beswick cut through and offloaded but John Duffy was found wanting for pace.

Fletcher kicked another two points but the Vikings were soon deliberating underneath their own posts again.

Jason Walton crashed over from a mesmeric interception and run by former Widnes scrum-half Richie Myler.

Tyrer had made a try-saving tackle but after a quick play-the-ball, Walton touched down.

Steve Bannister and Myler soon combined to send Robbie Paul over and Wilshire added a second successive conversion.

However, a half-time talk from boss Steve McCormack seemed to do he trick.

Tyrer latched on to Duffy’s pass to cross for his debut first debut try.

The 20-year-old match winner then juggled with Smith’s pinpoint kick en route to his second.

Tyrer struck the extras and although Wilshire’s third goal had given the visitors a four-point advantage, Jason Crookes took Dean’s pass 40 metres out to sprint over, Lee Paterson having created the gap.

Tyrer’s conversion opened a decisive lead with only minutes remaining.