In a full-blooded encounter, with no quarter asked or given, Warrington were eventually beaten by the greater spirit of adventure of a well-balanced Widnes side who created three excellent tries to an opportunistic effort from the home team. Even, so, this was the best Warrington performance seen for many weeks at Walton Lee and bodes well for the remainder of the season.

Warrington found themselves under pressure from the kick-off and defended sustained attacks from the visitors for the first fifteen minutes. Eventually, they managed to steal possession and their pacy backs combined well to force a line out, ten yards from the Widnes line. Widnes took the ball and, rather than put in a clearance kick, decided to run from their own 22, a decision which proved inspired when their left winger finished off the move by touching down in the corner.

From the restart, Widnes were soon on the attack and a long pass in the Warrington 22 found their diminutive but speedy right winger, who beat off four feeble attempted tackles to score in the corner.

Warrington replied quickly and positively. A sharp inside pass from McNair saw veteran Jones demonstrate that he still has both the nous and the speed by crashing through the hole and making 20 yards before being stopped. Warrington maintained their territorial pressure and eventually managed to wheel a set scrum ten yards out. The ball trickled free and, for a brief moment, it was conspicuously unattended. Fortunately, Wheatley, Warrington’s long-serving number eight, showed quickness of thought and even quicker feet to pick up and scuttle over. Newans converted to reduce the Widnes lead to just three points at the turnaround.

The second half developed into a war of attrition, which at times bordered on the brutal but Warrington showed their physical and mental toughness by standing up to everything that Widnes threw at them until the last five minutes when the visitors secured the result with a final try in the corner.

“This was a much improved performance,” commented assistant coach Stewart Coleman, “The lads stuck at it well and once we have sorted out a couple of defensive frailties, I am sure we are going to see a more successful second half of the season.”