Widnes 14-28 Warrington: Wolves make strong start with victory

Match Stats: Widnes 14-28 Warrington

Widnes tries: Buchanan, Mellor
Goals: White 3

Warrington tries: Hughes, Lineham, Patton, Russell, Hiku
Goals: Patton 4

Match report

Warrington made a fine start to the Super 8s Qualifiers by hitting back from 14-6 down to claim Cheshire derby bragging rights over Widnes with a 28-14 victory over the Vikings.

The Wolves were tipped to be challenging for top honours this year but a poor campaign has left them in the 'middle eights', and they may have been fearing the worst on Friday when Widnes opened up an eight-point lead.

But second-half tries from Tom Lineham, Dec Patton, Matty Russell and Peta Hiku saw the visitors home against a side missing key player Rangi Chase, who has been suspended for testing positive for cocaine.

It could have been a different story had Widnes converted pressure into points after bossing the first half but, minus Chase, they could not conjure up the plays at crucial moments.

The hosts, however, had plenty of muscle returning to their line-up after an injury ravaged season had kept key players out.

Chris Bridge, Danny Craven, Rhys Hanbury, Chris Houston, Lloyd White, Manase Manuokafoa and Jack Buchanan all returned, but their presence was not enough to drag them out of the doldrums.

Warrington drew first blood with a well-worked try from Jack Hughes, who was sent clear by Kevin Brown.

Widnes replied in clinical fashion with Wales international Lloyd White fizzing a neat ball from the deck into the hands of Jack Buchanan, who crashed over from short range.

The Vikings kept up the heat on their fierce rivals and Charly Runciman went close after Corey Thompson had crafted a good opening for him, but the Warrington defence was up to the task.

Widnes did not have to wait long for their next points, however, as just after the half an hour mark White broke the Wolves line and delivered a perfect inside ball to Joe Mellor, who skipped in unopposed.

At 12-6 at the break it was all to play for and Widnes' Denis Betts was definitely the happier of the two coaches after his side had produced some of the best rugby that had seen Super League's bottom-placed club start to come to life.

Warrington's Tony Smith was left scratching his head and his side fell further behind when White split the posts with a penalty after the Wolves had been caught offside.

But the visitors were by no means out of it and on 50 minutes they struck with some power after quick hands from Ryan Atkins put Lineham in a position to fly over, which he did with a spectacular dive in the corner.

Patton sliced the conversion but Warrington had dragged themselves back into it.

They should have gone ahead five minutes later as Stefan Ratchford burst clear but his 30-yard pass to Lineham was dropped with the line at his mercy.

Brown was beginning to turn the screw and the Wolves were finally finding their rhythm, and when Patton danced over for a solo effort, the writing was on the wall.

Russell was next to cross after Peta Hiku had gone clear.

A Patton penalty made it 24-14 to the Wolves and there was certainly no coming back when Hiku steamed over in the corner to get in on the act.

Match reaction

Warrington boss Tony Smith on his side's win: "It was a good game and a good contest. There were two teams out there fighting for their lives and it showed.

"Widnes had a real crack - it was the best I've seen of Widnes for weeks. They really took it to us. But we have to shown character and patience to get past them.

"We felt if we could eliminate the errors we made in the first half and keep going toe to toe with them then we would come up trumps and that is what happened.

"It was a good game for us to start the Qualifiers like this.

"We showed desire and a lot of credit goes to the players for that. They have worked really hard this week and we have another tough fixture next week. We ticked the box on the first one.

"It's very important to get the series off to a winning start and both teams showed how important this is. I have huge admiration for my team as Widnes would have beaten many a Super League team on that performance."

Widnes coach Denis Betts on the game and some of the officials' decisions: "It was a really tough game and a tough contest until the point where we let them get back into the arm wrestle. We need to take opportunities when they present themselves and if we do that then it looks like a different game.

"However, if this game is on TV then there's two tries that they don't score. We rode the decisions that went against us and came out the other side.

"Overall it was a good contest and one in which we competed throughout but we make two errors and they have punished us. A side like Warrington can hurt you."

Betts on Rangi Chase: "There's nothing more to say. We knew what Rangi was (before we signed him).

"We have made a comment through what has been said in the statement. I'm disappointed but the most disappointed person in all this should be the player himself.

"I found out who my half-back partnership was going to be at 6pm last night. That's not ideal is it? That's a massive understatement."

Related links

Friday's other reports
Results and standings