Calder Vale 18

Widnes RUFC 32

WIDNES made the trip to Burnley and had to fight hard against a side three divisions below them to gain victory.

Things did not start well for Widnes. After five minutes they conceded a penalty with Calder Vale full-back, Ivan Gibson, converting 45 yards out making the score 3-0.

Widnes conceded nine penalties in the first 20 minutes.

Fine work by the Calder Vale half-backs enabled inside-centre, Hutchinson to score, converted by Gibson.

Widnes realised then that they had a game on their hands and after some fine driving play by the Widnes forwards, the ball was passed back to full-back, Stuart Hussey, who dropped a goal from 30 metres.

The Wid's tactics seemed naive at times, trying to push the ball wide against a well organised defence, but after 30 minutes a two-handed catch by Dave Howard, five metres from the Calder Vale line, enabled the Widnes' forwards to create an organised drive which led to a try by Widnes prop Tony Gilsenan to make the score 10-8.

After 45 minutes Calder Vale scored the try of the game 50 yards out, the ball moved to the right, interpassing between four of the Calder Vale players, winger Martin went over in the right hand corner but missed the conversion.

The introduction of Widnes substitute Phil McCaughrean made the Wids look a much more cohesive unit.

A fine break by Blackmore enabled hooker, Dermott, to race unopposed 50 yards to score under the Calder Vale posts, Hussey converting to make the score 15-15.

A superb 40 yard chip and chase by McCaughrean failed to produce a deserved score.

From a scrum, a blind-side break by McCaughrean fed wing-forward Bates, who in the act of scoring was pulled back by Calder Vale full-back Gibson.

The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try to Widnes, converted by Hussey.

In the 71st minute Calder Vale conceded a penalty, Hussey converted to make the score 15-22 to Widnes.

All credit to Calder Vale who did not give up.

In the 74th minute Calder Vale's impressive full-back, Gibson, kicked a penalty making the score 18-25, but it was the Wids who had the final say when Kiwi, Glen Blackmore, made an outside break and off-loaded an inside pass to fellow centre, Ade Beckett, who galloped 25 yards to the Vale's posts, converted by Hussey.

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