Widnes St Maries lose ground

12:56pm Thursday 27th November 2008

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Widnes St Maries 18 Normanton Knights 18 WIDNES ST MARIES lost further ground in their chase for promotion which was tempered by the defeat of their other challengers at the top leaving the Maries only one point behind leaders Wath Brow Hornets who still have to visit Widnes.

It was obvious that the host’s players treated the threat from the visitors lightly due to their low league position but they were taught a quick lesson.

No teams in the Conference are an “easy game” and Normanton proved that with a try after only three minutes.

Myter Fabrications man of the match Dave Welsh’s kick sailed into touch and from the re-start Paul Greaves and Mick Hill combined to send Luke Pavlitski in to the right of the sticks.

Hill converted the first of his three goals before winger Andrew Greaves increased the lead to 10 with a fine interception and 70 metre run to the line.

Hill missed the kick and fortunately for the Maries he missed two penalty attempts.

Finally the hosts struck some form Danny Smith forced a knock on, Mike Lamb and Dave Prescott took the ball to the line before Prescott was fouled.

They ran the penalty but after good hands from Prescott, Shaun Conroy, Smith and Anthony Hollins the ball was knocked on.

Hollins won the ball back and he and Welsh moved the ball across field to top scorer Mike Fairclough who powered over at the corner.

Welsh won the ball one on one but the official adjudged that he had called the tackle giving Hill an easy penalty.

Andrew Greaves again intercepted and was only stopped at the last minute by fullback Scott Harland, unfortunately getting injured in the process.

Hill missed another penalty after a high tackle by Glynn Holland and the Maries were struggling to hold their Wakefield visitors.

Fairclough, Hollins, Holland, Craig Millington and Welsh all exchanged passes across field but once again the final pass was a knock on.

Andy Benson went close before Prescott, Smith and Welsh combined to put Harland in under the sticks for a Welsh converted try.

This closed the gap to two points at the break and the hosts were glad to have a chance to re-group after the worst 40 minutes seen from the Maries this season.

Prescott, Welsh, Hollins and Millington all went close early on when the Maries forced three consecutive sets of six but were still held out.

Millington attacked the line but was held up short, Paul Borg went close before the Maries received a penalty for a high shot.

Welsh ran the ball found Millington out wide who returned to put Welsh in out wide.

Without the conversion the hosts at last took the lead.

Harland, Lamb and Danny Prendergast all went close but the resolute Normanton defence held for a further 20 minutes eventually falling to a Welsh try.

With a six point lead and only six minutes on the clock it looked as though the Maries had got out of jail but Hill and Greaves were not finished.

They fed fullback Butterfield to score for Hill to convert and earn a very valuable and worthy point.

Scoring four tries to three the missed conversions and penalties given away had proved costly.

Coach Tilleke had stern words for his squad who must improve in attitude and play if they are to make this a successful season.

Dave Welsh was Myter Fabrications man of the match with Anthony Hollins and Glynn Holland closest contenders.

Fullback Mick Butterfield was adjudged Normanton’s man of the match.

Team: Scott Harland, Mike Fairclough, Mike Lamb, Mark Hardman, Danny Sharples, Dave Welsh, Anthony Hollins, Paul Borg, Sean Conroy, Danny Prendergast, Glynn Holland, Danny Smith, Craig Millington.

Replacements: Andy Benson, Adam Prendergast, Jamie Rowlands, David Prescott.

Widnes St Maries North West Counties defeated Blackbrook A in the North West Challenge Cup 35-2 with tries from Lee Lamb, Karl O’Doherty, Ryan Millington, Ryan Quinn and Mike Stevenson (2).

Man of the match Bobbie Goulding converted four goals and one field goal and Quinn one conversion.

Widnes St Maries National Conference League side travel to Oldham St Annes and the North West Counties side visit Orrell St James.

Players meet at 12 noon, kick offs 2pm.