Aspatria RUFC 1st XV 58

Widnes RUFC

1st XV 0

WIDNES made the long journey to Cumbria with the season's job already done; staying in the Powergen Division North Two West has been the aim all season.

This was achieved two weeks ago against Aspull, but a win against Aspatria would have meant finishing in sixth position.

Unfortunately the Wids had a bad day and leaked nine tries in a one-sided affair.

Another incentive for a winning end to the season was the knowledge that head coach Paul Newall had announced he was stepping down at the end of the season to concentrate on next season's U16s.

Newall has done an excellent job this season and has kept the team up and encouraged the second XV who has had a superb season winning promotion.

The Wids' league season could be split into three, the beginning saw three out of three wins, the middle, no wins in 11 and the end, six victories from eight games.

The importance of the Wids kids was again highlighted as Phil Glover, Liam Wilde, Ben Hazzard and Rob Critchley all made first team places their own.

The club also attracted new talent to Heath Road, as Nick Fellows, Peter Van Loo, Alex Gardiner and Johannes Lamprecht all became regulars in Newall's first XV. The team has been led from the front by captain and stand off Stu Hussey who has been top of the tackle count all season and the team looked more balanced when Paul O'Connor and Rab Higgins were available. So next season will see a new man at the helm at Heath Road and some old foes on the pitch in the shape of Liverpool St Helens and Vale of Lune.