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 Widnes Saints 32 RUNCORN RLC 16 - June 15, 2009, 12:19:40 PM Another cracker for Runcorn in scorching conditions at Brentfields. Once again Runcorn came up against a very strong Widnes Saints side in the second derby fixture of the season. With a couple of late cry off’s and no replacement props, Runcorn where going to be up against it from the outset. Runcorn had the best of the early possession as the Saints fell foul of Referee Abel on a couple of occasions. Runcorn probed at the Saints line but couldn’t come away with any reward from a very well organised Saints defence. Even having a perfectly good try disallowed from Vice Captain Forshaw. Widnes then attacked hard but they also couldn’t breach the superb defence from Runcorn, especially young standoff Willings and forwards Edge and Dunne. It took until 15 minutes before half time for a score to be posted, unfortunately it went to the Saints after some good work on the right. Runcorn then suffered a big loss in the injury to powerful prop Dunne. Again both sides swapped attack and defence in an end to end game and Runcorn nearly replied when Worrall made great yards and looked to have put nippy youngster Dempsey in, unfortunately the cover tackle dragged him in to touch with inches to go to the try line. With the clock counting down to half time, Runcorn probed and asked questions of the Saints defence until a breakaway try saw the home side score again, converted. Half time 12-0 After some words of encouragement from Rob Calland and Chris Leech, Runcorn once again started the second half more brightly. Forshaw and Vowles earned some hard yards up the middle which led to scrum half McAdam to fire a great pass to blockbusting centre Kavanagh who put McGreevey in 3 minutes into the half for his 4th try of the season. Runcorn switched off from the kick off and allowed the Saints to score a quick reply, once again converted. On 20 minutes, some great work from Lepts and Dean saw McWhirter go in for his 1st try of the season, converted by Patterson. Once again, Runcorn looked to be in better shape but switched off from the kick off allowing Widnes to reply almost straight away. With the heat taking its toll Coaches Calland and Leech made changes and the introduction of debutant Morgan on the wing saw him finish a great move inspired by another debutant Kavanagh. Patterson converted and with 8 points between the sides with 10 minutes to go Runcorn knew they would have to pull out all the stops to take the points. Unfortunately it was Widnes who put a final nail in Runcorn’s coffin with a well worked try, once again converted. Special praise was given after the game with lads playing in unfamiliar positions including Bateson and Edwards, 2 back rowers playing prop, but all in all Coaches Calland and Leech where delighted with the performance from Runcorn. Chris Leech said “I was delighted with the performance of the Runcorn players today, with a couple of new lads filling in for some late withdrawals it was always going to be difficult against the best side in the division. But I can’t emphasise enough that 2 years ago we would have come here and got beat by 60 points so to have two very close games is a step in the right direction for us. I would also like to add my thanks to the staff at Widnes Saints for their great hospitality once again and to both sets of players who played the game in the very best of spirits.” Runcorn next face Rhyl this coming Wednesday 17th in a must win game for the green and golds. Coach Calland stressed “Rhyl have had a shaky start giving a couple of walkovers but we decided we wanted a game and the lads are up for it despite the tough game today” Full time 32-16 RUNCORN: S. McWhirter (1T), P. Dempsey, S. Worrall, M. Holian (mom), K. McGreevey (1T), L. Willings, E. McAdam, L. Forshaw, J. Lepts, G. Dunne, P. Dean, J. Edge, D. Patterson C (2C), SUBS A. Bateson, S. Vowles, B. Kavanagh, C. Morgan (1T), C. Edwards RUNCORN MOM 1. M.Holian, 2. S.McWhirter, 3. L. Willings  Printer Friendly Version  |
      
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