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Widnes 20 - 18 Salford Reds

by Dave Lawrenson
25/ 6/2008

ST Helens coach Daniel Anderson is public enemy number one among Salford’s fans after three of his players starred as Widnes stunned the Reds with an unlikely comeback win at the Stobart Stadium.

On-loan Saints players Steve Tyrer, Matty Smith and Chris Dean all made key contributions as the Vikings recovered from a 16-4 deficit in the televised National League One clash.

Tyrer, who scored in a Super League game against Bradford six days earlier, showed his class by bagging two tries and kicking two late conversions after Anderson had given permission for the 19-year-old centre to join the Vikings on the day of the game.

Smith set up both of Tyrer’s tries and Dean made the clean break for Widnes’ match winning score from Jason Crookes on 71 minutes. It was a cruel climax for Salford’s players, who bossed the first hour of the game only to tire at the death as their cup semi-final heroics five days earlier took its toll.

In the end, the goal kicking proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Halifax were able to replace Salford at the top of the table due to the fact that John Wilshere missed three of his six attempts at goal. But, with Wilshere clearly struggling with the boot, you have to question the decisions to go for goal from three penalties, some of which were made with Wigan down to 12 men due to Richard Fletcher being sent to the sin bin.

The last one was particularly baffling as, with Salford leading 16-14 on 67 minutes, an extra two points was pretty much irrelevant with Widnes still needing just one converted try to come out on top.

They got it via Crookes to end a three-match losing streak in front of a record attendance for a National League One game of 8,189.

The majority of those fans looked set to go home disappointed as Salford took a stranglehold on the game via three quality tries via Paul White, Jason Walton and Robbie Paul.

But Salford never looked even close to their best despite the enormous endeavour of Aussie prop Craig Stapleton, the impressive display of Stephen Bannister in the second row and the several moments of magic from former Widnes half back Richard Myler.

The Reds were guilty of coughing up far too much possession due to handling errors. But their defence was exceptional until Widnes found a few extra gears in the final 20 minutes to come back from the brink of defeat against Salford for the second time this season.

Salford were hampered by the fact that Paul, Bannister and Stephen Nash all left the field with injury problems.

And coach Shaun McRae’s intention to field the same 17 players that won so well at Celtic Crusaders in the Northern Rail Cup semi-finals was ruined by a late neck injury to key forward Phil Leuluai.

That forced a last minute rejig with Karl Fitzpatrick being recalled at full back. He did well but Anderson’s boys did better.

Team: Fitzpatrick; Gardner, Littler, Wilshere, White; Paul, Myler; Nash, Alker, Stapleton, Bannister, Adamson, Turner. Subs used: Highton, Ratchford, Walton, Sidlow. Tries: White, Walton, Paul. Goals: Wilshere (3). Attendance: 8,189.