Wigan K Bulldogs 18

Widnes Tigers 12

WIDNES Tigers face Langworthy Reds in their first home match of the season on Saturday after a narrow loss in North West Counties Amateur Rugby League Division Four at Wigan Keepers Bulldogs at the weekend.

Tigers went 6-0 ahead against Bulldogs when centre Sean Cookson hacked ahead stand off Mike Barr's initial kick and touched down, with full back Stuart Bell converting.

Some fine tackling from forwards Ste Pitt, Sean Filkins, loose forward Craig Tollitt and captain Dave Smith, supported by Barr, Cookson and scrum half Kieran Walker, kept Tigers ahead at half time.

Walker suffered a shoulder injury and did not appear in the second half, forcing a re-shuffle.

With the continuity broken, Bulldogs took advantage and went 12-6 in front.

Tigers regrouped and levelled matters three minutes later with a fine try from Cookson, coming from an inch perfect cross-field kick from veteran Martin Duggan. Bell added the extras.

The game could have gone either way but with only three minutes left on the clock Bulldogs scored the winning try.