Time is on our side, says McCormack

Jul 3 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

VIKINGS succumbed for a third time this season to their fellow Super League hopefuls with a performance which coach Steve McCormack accepted wasn’t good enough.

Just seven days after their thrilling comeback victory over Salford City Reds – another of the sides chasing a three-year Super League licence – Widnes took a lashing in the rain at Bridgend.

McCormack said: “Last week we took the praise; this week we will take the flak.

“Celtic played really well and full credit to them for that.

“The weather was a factor but it was the same for both sides. It’s a disappointing defeat and we must play better than that. There’s still plenty of games left.”

Widnes couldn’t cope with the weather conditions – Crusaders simply handled them better and were much more clinical when it came to taking their chances.

The slippery ball was often the root cause of Widnes not hitting the scoreboard and Crusaders invariably came back with a sucker punch to force their visitors into submission.

Ian Hardman, Jim Gannon and Danny Hill did their best to turn things around.

Hardman was ubiquitous and both Hill and Gannon ferocious in defence but to no avail.

Widnes started well, Matty Smith pulling the strings at scrum-half, but couldn’t get over despite much early possession.

They were made to pay for missed opportunities when Anthony Blackwood went in from close range. Mark Lennon added the extras from in front – the first of seven goals for the Welsh international.

Two minutes later, Crusaders were over again as Mark Dalle Cort took two Widnes defenders with him.

The conversion was missed by Lennon but he had another chance for goal after half an hour as former Widnes centre Aled James touched down.

Gannon and Hill gave their side a boost with two bone shuddering hits which rocked the Welsh but the Vikings again fell short of the line.

A Lennon penalty before the break made it 18-0 and there was no way back for Widnes.

Gannon went over for a four-pointer and Steve Tyrer converted to give the Vikings an outside chance but that was all it was.

That was confirmed when the Crusaders crossed for two tries in three minutes.

The first was a well-worked effort from Tony Duggan and the other a two-yard effort from Neil Budworth.

With a minute left, Ben Flower walked over to complete a dismal evening’s work from Vikings.

Vikings’ annual Summer School will be held at Stobart Stadium Halton in the week beginning August 4.

Sessions for 7 to 9-year-olds are on August 4 and 5 while 10 to 12-year-olds meet on August 6, 7 and 8 (all 10am and noon).

Attendees must register at the main reception at Stobart Stadium Halton or download a form from the community pages at www.widnesvikings.co.uk and drop it into the stadium.

The cost is £8 per child – there are only 120 places available, so applicants need to be quick.