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.