Thacks for the memories....York in the rain.

Well it started as we left the Stobart Stadium and it stopped as we arrived back, but the incessant rain didn't dampen the spirts after a well earned win at York City Knights.

The 22-18 scorline in favour of the Vikings was about a true reflection of how close YCK pushed us right until the last kick of the game.

Vikings old boys Thackeray and Ford played against us a month after being bombed out of our SL plans, and the former almost embarrassed us in the last minute, but he couldn't gather in a cross kick with the line begging.

The Vikings had 3 tries disallowed 2 possibly in error, as it happened it didn't matter.

Now why didn't I pack a towel?

Given the hard shoulder on the way to Dewsbury!

Well after spending 2 hours on the M62, watching the traffic zoom past us , we finally arrived at Dewsbury as the clock ticked onto 55 minutes.

After letting the hosts run up a 16-0 lead the Chaz I'Anson show clicked into action and the Vikings were actually leading by the time our coach party burst past the gateman trying to take a fiver a head of us.

Further tries put Dewsbury back infront before we regained the lead with minutes to go. But as in typical fashion, we snatched a 34-all draw from the jaws of victory in the Tetley Bitter Stadium 'Wind tunnel'.

Another venue we probably won't be returning to for some time, but we won't miss it as much as their near neighbours Batley.......... Dewsbury need a beer garden and a very big wind breaker!

Shipping another Barrowload at the Raiders

State of the art Port-a-loos.... the future!

Grandeur of the Dessiedome!

We drew the second half 6-6 YIPPEE!





The only consolation of another dour away day in our last Championship season. Ned Catic opened the scoring before the pea in the Ref's whistle had stopped vibrating at the kick-off and we knew we were in for a long afternoon. further tries followed before dual-reg Mellor opened his Viking account to leave us trailing 24-6 at the break.





At least the weather was fine as we stood on the new 'Open End' just adjacent to the 3 port-a-loos. Barrow increased their advantage to 30-6 before yours truly made his way to the coach, missing Mellor's second try in the process.





Lasting memory of the match was the abysmal knock-on by Dave Allen from the Barrow goal line drop-out, which just about summed up the day (...month)

Battered at Batley

the Batley Beergarden..... Happy days!

Probably a last visit to the Batley Bulldogs beer garden for some time, and as if blessed by the Gods, brilliant sunshine to boot.

How come we always play down the mountain in the first half at Mount Pleasant? I'm sure Karl Harrison has a double headed coin. It shouldn't be a problem so long as you get a three score lead, but unlike last season the Vikings only took a 2 point lead into the oranges.

So a repeat of the Leigh leatherings loomed as a third scoreless second half for the Vikings saw Batley run out deserved 32-12 winners.

I have enjoyed my trips to Batley over the last 3 seasons, and will miss it. Let's hope we don't have to go there in the play-offs in September.

Leythered at Leigh part 2

the Widnes team that played in the second half at Leigh Centurians

Well I never. Free match ticket, free coach travel..... and still I was robbed. If 2 week ago was bad then this was worse. Even David Mills scored 2 tries!!!!!

As we did 12 days earlier the vikings decided to not bother leaving the dressing rooms for the second half, sending out the St Bedes under 11's to finish off the rampant LobbyGobblers.

Leading 18-6 after 30 mins the Vikings leaked 44 points without reply to send home their large following dumb struck as to the manner of the defeat. Ex widnes players John Duffy and Mills got 3 tries between them and Mick Nanyn helped himself to 9 goals.







Super League.......... we're having a laugh!

Leythered at Leigh

Defeat left a taste in the mouth like the old Hilton Park Gents!

After storming into a 16 - 8 lead at half time the Vikings decided to spend most of the 2nd half shading from the sun under their own cross bar, conceding 46 points without reply.

Obviously the pressure of not knowing if they had a career in SL or the Championship hit home as the 17 had their half-time oranges. After this capitulation I would be more worried if I had a career in the North West Counties 6th division.

Never mind, the lads will put things right in 2 weeks when they return for the NRC quarter final, everyone knows lightning cannot strike the same place twice....... can it? At least the excellent Tyrone McCarthy has moved on, one less to worry about!

Post Office Road.. a first.

Saturday 26th February 2011 was the day I first set foot on the home of Featherstone Rovers, a ground which in recent times has had a few names, but will always be Post Office Road in my eyes. God it's cold over in Yorkshire in winter. Lovely sunny, clear skies on arrival at the club car park, but a quick 'get back in the car for half an hour' on feeling the freezing temperatures on ones face.

Last seasons league leaders shield holders appeared to be our toughest NRC group game on paper, but when the Vikings streaked to a 18-0 half-time lead, the weather became tropical..... couldn't feel any cold whatsoever!

Even playing up the hill in the 'slutch' in the second period the Vikings seem comfortable, until a mad last 15 minute onslaught from the hosts, almost made us snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. A couple of Tyrer penalty goals in front of the sticks settled the nerves and Widnes ran out 22-16 winners.

Off-field Fev have a lot to do before the chance of Super League could become a possibility. But lets hope they can do the ground modifications required to get up with the big boys again.

London Skolars... a trip down White Hart Lane.

The 08.35 train from Runcorn started the 2011 Rugby League seasons' travelling for this blogger. £23 return booked pre-christmas enabled a budget trip to the capital to see our opening NRC group game against the London Skolars at White Hart Lane Sports Stadium. After a bite to eat at the newly covered Spitalfields Market, a couple of tube rides to Wood Green on the Piccadilly line took us to within a 10 minute walk down to the home of the Skolars. Not likely to challenge the new Olympic Stadium for the games in 2012, the ground of the Skolars certainly made me wish I'd brought a fleece with me! Summer Rugby... LOL! God it was cold and windy. The usual faces had arrived before us and were making good use of the bar under the stand. I think a few stayed in it and watched through the windows rather than face the elements. After a shakey start, where the Skolars led twice, normal service was resumed and the Vikings ran out 62-18 winners. The hosts celebrated in defeat due to the fact all alcohol in the bar had been sold. The 600 plus crowd was also an added bonus for the Londoners. After the game about 20 Viking supporters ventured up to the Lord Nelson Pub on the High Street to watch the 2nd half of the Chelsea, Liverpool 'Torres' grudge match. Unbeknown to us all it could have been Huyton or West Derby when Liverpool scored, the pub erupted..... More Reds than Chelsea fans in a London pub? Something not right me thinks. The 21.21 train got is into Runcorn at 3 minutes to 12, and the jim-jams were on by 12.30. I'd never been before, and will probably not go again, but London Skolars I thank you for your hospitality.

Number 9, gone but not forgotten!

Sunday 2nd february marks the start of a new era in sport, in London a certain No.9 will be missing from our line up. Idolised by all our fans, but now gone forever, sporting a blue shirt with a lion on it! And I don't mean Fernando Torres.

Yes, a new era dawns ..................... there will be no Mark Smith in the ranks of the Widnes Vikings when we take on the London Skolars this weekend. Our once Captain Fantastic, always leading from the front, always with body on the line, has now gone to pastures new, albeit not his choice, but that's professional sport, time moves on.

The clubs hierarchy saw fit not to offer 'Smithy' along with Lee Doran, Scott Yates and Jim Gannon new contracts for what will hopefully be our last season in the Championship, as they regenerate the club with a probable assault on Super League 2012.

Though the aging process has probably gone against three of the above players, they were probably our more consistent performers, and most of the fans would have been happy to see them all get at least 12 months stay of execution. But it was not to be.

We can only hope that the new recruits for 2011 will step up to the plate and carry on the good work that Mark, Lee, Scott and Jim have done before them.

Mark Smith stood by Widnes in 2007 when we went into administration, one of the 'Famous 5'. For that I thank you, and wish you well at Swinton Lions this season.