Rochdale RUFC 33

Widnes RUFC 10

WIDNES slipped up on their travels last weekend when they went down by 33-10 against Rochdale in Powergen North Two West.

However, it was a game in which the final score did not reflect the effort of the Widnes team who battled hard throughout and only two unfortunate pieces of luck towards the end of the match finally took the game away from them.

Fielding a much-changed line-up because of injury, Widnes began brightly but fell behind to two Rochdale penalties, before a converted try extended their lead.

Down 11-0, the visitors mounted a comeback with a penalty and then a converted try from full back Glover, to reduce the arrears to only one point.

However, during the six minutes of added injury time, the home side added a converted try to give them an interval lead of 18-10.

The second half started well again for Widnes, but they were hampered by a lack of quality possession when and where it mattered.

The game was still in the balance until the closing minutes when Rochdalewas able to add two further scores against the run of play to finally take the game away.

For Widnes, Paul Borg, Nick Fellows and Johannes Lamprecht all impressed, whilst Alex Gardiner's defensive work in the three quarters was outstanding.

Next week, Widnes have a break from league action taking on Oldershaw in the cup,.

They resume service as normal a week later at home to Stockport.