WIDNES' record-breaking victory against Oldham eclipsed the 82-0 win over Dewsbury in November 1986.

On that occasion Widnes crossed for 17 tries, compared with a 14 try haul on Sunday.

Paul Hulme was a substitute in that 1986 win and played loose-forward against Oldham - for the record, he didn't score in either game!

Phil Cantillon became the sixth Widnes player to score five tries in a game and the first forward to do so. Others to achieve the feat; Eddie Cunningham, John Basnett, David Hulme (playing scrum-half) Andy Currier and Martin Offiah.

With his 14 goal haul, Mark Hewitt comfortably surpassed the previous Widnes goals-in-a-game record of 11, set by Robin Whitfield (brother of current coach Colin) as long ago as October 1965.

Ironically Oldham were also Widnes opponents on that occasion, too.

It was also the third consecutive home game that Widnes attracted a 3,000 plus crowd.

The Vikings average for the season now stands at 2,870 - a huge 30% increase on the figures from 1998.

And with some key games still to come, including Sunday's top five showdown with Leigh, the club are confident that they can take the season's average beyond the 3,000 mark.

Club Chairman Tony Chambers said: "We have comfortably the highest attendances outside of Super League, and on occasion we are even topping some of the crowds in the top flight.

"The figures are particularly impressive when you consider that, with one or two exceptions, visiting teams have brought very little travelling support to the Auto Quest.

"It is also encouraging that we've had a steady upward trend as the season has continued.

"We've tried to make the match day experience an enjoyable one, and fans have responded to that and to the improved performances of the team.

"We've worked very hard to promote our fixtures" added Chambers.

"But although we had some carefully targeted price promotions earlier in the season, we have resisted the temptation to 'paper the house' by giving away thousands of free tickets.

Tactics like that can have spectacular short-term results but don't necessarily bring any long term benefits."

Initiatives used by the Vikings to improve home gates this season include:

Visits to local schools by coaching staff and first team players

600 posters throughout Halton for each game, on buses and in retail outlets

Leafletting on Saturdays prior to home game in local shopping areas

Promotions in local Social Clubs the evening prior to each home game

Car equipped with loud-hailer touring Halton on the weekend of the game

Promotions on local radio in the week prior to games

Meanwhile, August 1 sees the Cup Kings Parade at the Auto Quest when the heritage of both Widnes and Leigh will be celebrated with a parade of trophy winning players from both clubs.

At 2.30pm ex-players of both clubs from the era 1970-1984 will be introduced to the crowd.

They will also be showing off the many trophies won by the respective teams including the Challenge Cup, RL Championship, Lancashire Cup, John Player Trophy, Premiership and BBC2 Trophy.

The parade is part of a 1970's theme day and spectators are invited to dress in their best 70s gear for the day.

Fans who want to have a sneak preview of the trophies can do so at the Windmill Shopping Centre, Albert Road, Widnes, next Saturday, July 31.

Bring your camera along if you would like to have your photo taken with the silverware - there will be a small fee with profits going to Halton Haven Cancer Hospice.

The Vikings and their supporters have so far raised around £1,700 for Halton Haven since 'adopting' the charity in June.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.