South Lancs & Cheshire Division 1
Widnes 20 Sale FC 13
For the first time in two years we lost successive league games with this defeat at Widnes.
The match opened brightly with both sides looking to play an open game in the opening period, and when the hosts were caught offside in front of their own posts, Mike Raikes kicked a simple penalty to put Sale ahead. Widnes gained the lead on 15 minutes when their full back Riley completed a flowing move with a try, well converted from wide out.
Despite our line-out not functioning well, both sides were willing to open the play at almost every opportunity and just after the half hour we regained the lead with a half-break from stand-off Mike Raikes who put Jack Moorhouse through for a touchdown which the No. 10 converted. Widnes came back hard in the closing stages of the half but we defended well to retain the three point advantage at the break.
Widnes opening strongly in the second half and we were under constant pressure in the first 10 minutes and finally buckled as a forwards drive by the Wids ended with prop Vickerstaffe touching down and Leadbetter added the extras for a four point lead.
Minutes later we narrowed the gap to just a point when Widnes were penalised for not releasing and Raikes kicked a second penalty. However, if this was going to be the stepping stone to success it didn’t materialise as two penalties conceded before the hour mark finally settled the match as Leadbetter kicked both for the hosts.
Although a quarter of the match remained, the home pack had effectively taken control and Sale found it more difficult to mount a counter-attack with only scaps of possession despite only being a converted try in arrears.
We now return to Heywood Road for the next two league fixtures against Warrington and Hoylake.
Neil Thallon