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Match Report
Sunday 3rd February 2008
Panthers on right track in Rail Cup
Blackpool Panthers RL 4, Widnes Vikings 38
HOLDERS Widnes made an express start to their
defence of the Northern Rail Cup they won in
Blackpool last year - but Panthers were by no means
second class passengers.
Despite conceding 26 points without reply in the
first half, the home side halted Widnes' head of
steam in the second.
Indeed, new coach Martin Crompton can derive
satisfaction from restricting the Vikings to 12
points in the second 40 minutes, six of those coming
when his side had a man in the sin-bin.
The smart money was on Widnes running up a tally of
cricket-score proportions, but Blackpool nullified
much of their lofty rivals' threat and even mustered
decent attacks of their own.
Blackpool's endeavour had much to commend it on a
bleak midwinter's day when the entertainment level
was high in blustery conditions.
Diligent
Catching the eye among the 10 Panthers debutants
were hooker John Clough, who was lively in attack
and diligent in defence, and centre Casey Mayberry.
The crowd of 905 was by far the biggest at the
Woodlands all winter, though a boisterous contingent
from Widnes must have made up 90 per cent of it.
The tie was a far cry from the heady days when
Widnes were regulars in the Challenge Cup Final at
Wembley and they began the match overwhelming
favourites, with Blackpool getting a 38 point start
on the handicap!
Panthers began with the wind at their backs, giving
as good as they got in the early stages as Clough's
runs tested Widnes' defence.
Blackpool defended admirably as a kick by Widnes
scrum-half Steven Roper bounced horribly in the wind
but the visitors took the lead from their next
attack.
Swift passing between Jim Gannon, Steven Roper and
Danny Speakman down the left was Panthers' undoing
as wingman Gavin Dodd finished the move off in the
corner.
Three minutes later, hooker Mark Smith slipped in a
short pass to prop Gannon. who bulldozed over from
close range and stand-off Tim Hartley had no trouble
with the simple kick to make it 10-0.
The contest started to take an ominous and
inevitable turn when Widnes claimed a third try
after Panthers' defence was stretched to breaking
point by another brisk passing movement rounded off
by second row Danny Hill, a touchdown augmented by
Hartley.
Latest signing David Kirby found himself exposed and
opposing wingman Dean Gaskell took advantage to chip
down the line and follow up to score in the corner,
making it 20-0.
It was hardly a surprise given the ferocity of the
icy wind that Hartley was awry with the kick.
Five minutes before the break, Panthers had a chance
of getting on the scoreboard but made a mess of a
scrum. Widnes centre Shane Grady intercepted and
sprinted 50 metres before full-back Jonny Leather
put in magnificent tackle.
Panthers' relief did not last long - from a quick
penalty Vikings marauded forward yet again and Rob
Draper crossed for their fifth try, improved by
Hartley.
The half-time hooter came as welcome respite for
Blackpool, who stemmed the tide manfully after the
restart and even launched a couple of meaningful
attacks against the wind, with lively replacement
Craig Tunstead very much at the forefront, Clough
and Gambles were flitting around purposefully for
Blackpool, who defended stubbornly to get through
the third quarter without conceding a single point,
though Dodd did have a try ruled out for a forward
pass.
The aggressive Mayberry created space for winger
Craig Graham but he spilled the ball and a rare
chance was spurned.
Hartley tagged on the extras and Blackpool were
reduced to 12 men for the final 10 minutes when Mike
Wallace was yellow-carded.
That did not prevent them scoring a richly deserved
try on 73 minutes, when stand-off Paul Anderson's
pin-point cross-kick, was collected by Graham who
bravely touched down.
Kirby, back on the ground where he once played with
Fylde RUFC, was hopelessly wide with the kick in the
wickedly swirling wind.
Hartley then intercepted a stray pass deep in his
own half and ran all the way to the line, despite
Mayberry's valiant attempt to halt him, before
adding his fifth goal.
Though Widnes were al-ways in the comfort zone there
were plenty of plus points for Panthers as they plan
Sunday's Northern Rail stop in Barrow.
steve.simpson@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
Source: Blackpool Gazette
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