Hunslet Hawks 41

Widnes Vikings 10

THE Vikings first game in the post-Graeme West era ended in a second-half collapse after a first period of promise.

Caretaker coach, Colin Whitfield, selected his first side and included a rare glimpse of the lesser-spotted Jim Cassidy at hooker.

Cassidy showed he has the right sort of skills for the dummy-half role but may have a tad of work to do fitness wise.

The Hawks, well in line for a play-off place, were harried into a series of errors in the first-half as the Vikings showed more enthusiasm in defence than in recent performances.

On attack, Widnes looked willing to play an expansive game, though lack of rehearsal was obviously a factor in the occasionally poor execution of some moves.

After Hunslet took the lead with an early penalty, the Vikings hit back when Chris Percival put wing partner, Damian Munro, in at the corner.

A series of errors frustrated both sides until the 24th minute when Cassidy scrambled the ball away for Percival to pick up and show good pace to scorch past the home defence from 35 yards out.

Hewitt's conversion made it 2-10, and the Vikings' travelling support could hardly believe it.

The Hawks came straight back up field and following concerted pressure on the Widnes line, prop, Lafaele Filipo, surged over from close-range.

The Vikings managed to hold on to their 8-10 lead until half-time but many at the South Leeds stadium may have anticipated a Hawks second-half comeback.

However, the extent of Hunslet's domination of the second period was dramatic.

Right from the off, they were more determined and took the lead in the first minute of the half when Kevin Gray backed up centre partner, Paul Mansson's break to score.

That was the beginning of the end for Widnes and with one or two players struggling to last the pace, their defence began to drop off.

With Mansson and scrum-half, Latham Tawhai well to the fore, the Hawks took complete control.

Five unanswered tries in the last half hour of the match was testimony to that.

Winger, Richard Baker, grabbed the first, Tawhai added a brace and in between time full-back, Chris Ross, got a deserved score.

Substitute, Mick Cayle, put the final nail in the coffin with his last minute try.

The final score of 41-10 probably flattered the Hawks and at least the Vikings looked committed throughout after the flak they came in for following the debacle against Hull KR.

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