36-24 to 'Fax
Crowd - 3200 (it should be at least this, we are on tv so lets hammer the promotion)

MOM - Penky

Soooo looking forward to this game!

Just 2 things concern me:

1. They have a reliable first choice goalkicker in Yates. We still seem to be sharing it out between Govin, Black and Haley although they haven't been too bad I suppose. At least our discipline seems pretty good so far so, hopefully, the only shots at goal Yates will get is if we let them score trys (tries? Never sure.)

2. If we continue our worrying habit this season of throwing out wild passes then the likes of Flynn will have a field day. This, to me, is showing a lack of respect for the opposition which was apparent in the Loughborough game so maybe they will be a little more wary against Widnes.

"Greater Merseyside" or something along those lines IIRC

You're both wrong.

Technically Widnes is still part of the Duchy of Lanashire. Our administrative county is Cheshire and that is how it is addressed.

We are in the borough of Halton, which encompasses both Widnes and Runcron, and we are also now part of the 'Liverpool City Region' which consists of Halton borough, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral and St Helens councils, who will now 'pool resources on specific issues in order to create a “thriving international city region” by 2020.'

In short we are still Widnes Cheshire and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

Given Halifax’s excellent form last season, and its continuation this season, I’d say you should be regarded the best team in the division…………


……….for now.


I can’t see us beating you at the shay to be honest.


But I wouldn’t rule it out!

Halifax by 8. Widnes will have to improve against the better teams in this division and I think this game could be a month too early.

I got slated for predicting a defeat at Don Valley and we know how that turned out.

Accordingly I will stick with a winning formula

FAX 22
WIDNES 26

ATT 3001

I am predicting a close game - we are undercooked, and I think the vikings will come out all guns blazing.

Penky to finally have an awesome game to pull it out of the mire, and a 24-18 win in front of a disappointing 2786

Fatalistic maybe, but I fear a narrow defeat, say 22-26.

I feel our lack of a settled half-back partnership might come to haunt us at this early stage.

Widnes to win because I feel we are too sloppy and they have a new coach and will be well fired up for this. I have concerns on our passing and how we have suffered a number of interceptions and that we have not yet been tested that much. Also the pressure is on us really as we are at home and the bookies have made us Favs for the League etc. Maybe I am just being too negatiove but just fear that we are still way off from being near our best in attack. Also much depends on James, Haley and Goddard being fit/allowed to play.

Widnes by 4-8

Crowd around 2200