Widnes run out 42-4 winners, as new combinations are tried and tested

The League One champions returned to action Thursday night with a 42-4 victory against a spirited Wigan St Pat’s team.

St Pat’s displayed resilience and determination in defence, but it was Widnes who grew as the game progressed with their superior fitness levels.

Despite making plenty of metres down the middle of the pitch and dominating field position, Widnes struggled in the opening quarter playing to points and executing plays to expose the opposition out wide.

As the half progressed the Vikings become more fluid in attack and as a result Aimee Wood and Hollie Jones began to put players through gaps and open the game up for Widnes.

Hollie Jones opened the scoring for Widnes, she spotted an opening in the St Pat’s defence to waltz through to score.

Some powerful metres was made by Hannah Whitehead, Niamh Gill-Ward and Tracy Peet to get the Vikings into a good ball area and a slick set move to the left saw Lilly Wilkinson crash over from close range.

St Pat’s responded with a try of their own before Hannah Whitehead got on the score sheet charging over from 15 metres out, her reward for a pack leading performance.

On the stroke of half-time Jenny Moss earned her team a penalty, off the back of a destructive run down the middle. The ball was tapped from the penalty and once more Moss steamed onto the ball knocking defenders out of the way to ground the ball for another try sending the women into the break 20-4 ahead.

The second half began and Widnes started to take complete control of the match. Hollie Jones secured her second of the evening before Tracy Peet punished some lazy defence.

Ellie Reid was up next crashing over for a well earned try having put in a solid display in the middle of the pitch, however the best was left until last as Niamh Gill-Ward demonstrated some devastating broken field running, returning a kick out pacing the defence from 50 metres out to cap off a comprehensive 42-4 victory.

The middle unit dominance

The huge positives for Widnes was no doubt the strong yardage carries from the Widnes pack and Niamh Gill-Ward at Full-back.

Hannah Whitehead, Ellie Reid, Tracy Peet, Chloe Richardson and Vicky Grace was all exceptional in getting Widnes on the front foot with several half breaks and full breaks.

The ball players in the team Aimee Wood, Hollie Jones and Jenny Moss fed off the quick rucks to open the game up for the Vikings.

Whilst being a ball player Jenny Moss also complimented the Vikings Front-row with some strong yardage carries of her own, making line breaks and eating up plenty of metres, displaying versatility in her style of play.

If Widnes can complete high, this Widnes forward pack has all what it takes to place down a strong marker in the up and coming Championship season.

New combinations put to the test

With the absence of Full-back Hannah Quirk, Niamh Gill-Ward was given the green light by head coach Dom Dean to impress at the back. Niamh took the opportunity with both hands making multiple line breaks throughout the game.

She has speed to burn and a lethal hand off, her performance will no doubt give Dom something to think about leading into the new season if she can work on her positioning under kicks.

With the departure of Super League bound Becky Webb and the absence of Rachel Porter, Centre was an area of concern for coach Dom Dean.

Under 21’s community Lions star Lilly Wilkinson was given first chance to impress at Centre. A Hooker by trade, Lilly stepped into the role with confidence and maturity especially positionally in defence.

Lilly has ball skill in abundance and used her running threat close to the line to bag her try. Both traits are vital to succeed in the Centre position and with more game time developing in the role Lilly demonstrated she has the potential to make the position her own.

With Niamh’s shift to Full-back Tracy Peet operated on the Wing as well as in the middle of the pitch. Her no nonsense approach was applied in both positions and she looked a threat in both areas of the field.

The versatility on display by Dom’s squad will give him heart and plenty of much needed options heading into the new season.