2010 Widnes Vikings season
Encyclopedia
The Widnes Vikings
are competing in the Co-operative Championship in 2010. The Vikings are looking to gain a 2012–14 Super League licence
, as applications for Super League
license has to be submitted by the end of the 2010 season. The Vikings are also looking to improve on their 2009
league position when they finished 4th. Widnes are also defending 2010 National League Cup
champions this season after they won the competition in 2009.
.
Manufactured by Irish based O’Neill’s Sportswear
, the shirt has been specially designed with advances moisture control allowing the body to breathe easily with the garment feeling dry and cool to contribute to improved player performance.
The main shirt sponsor is the Stobart Group
, which features the word 'Stobart' written across the front of the shirt. The strip also has four coloured lines (1 black, 2 red and another black line) stretching up the left hand side of the shirt, these four lines are similar to the three red lines the Stobart Group use on their haulage
vehicles.
The shirt also features the RFL
’s ‘Try Assist’ logo, the new name for the RFL Benevolent Fund and a new sleeve sponsor for 2010 in Halton Housing Trust. The logo of Halton Borough Council is also displayed on the right hand side of the chest on the front of the shirt.
During the event the 2010 squad numbers were announced and fans were able to pre-order the new shirt which the Vikings will wear against Warrington Wolves
in the World of Beds Cup on Boxing Day
.
For the Gateshead Thunder game in 2009, chairman Steve O’Connor offered free admission for all Vikings fans. As season ticket holders did not benefit from this special offer (as they had already paid for the game when purchasing their season ticket), the club decided they would give vouchers to the 2009 season ticket holders who renewed their season tickets during an 'Ealry Bird' promotion. The vouchers were for fans to use on kit manufacturer O’Neills merchandise in the January sales.
Fans could claim discounts on Vikings items from the store, including the new 2010 strip. The discounts were: adult season ticket holders £10, concession season ticket holders £7 and junior season ticket holders £2. These discounts could only be applied when visiting the O'Neils store in Widnes
town centre.
Vikings’ CEO Alex Bonney explained the thinking behind the initiative: “Steve’s offer in June came when things weren’t going well on the pitch and the comeback against Gateshead, plus the atmosphere generated by our fans, set the team up for the victory over Halifax in the NRC semi-final and ultimately the final victory over Barrow to give us the ability to apply for a 2012 Super League licence.
“While recognising that season ticket holders had already paid for this game as part of their 2009 ticket, we had planned to discount their 2010 season ticket but were heartened that a number of fans spoke to us to say that they understood the ‘bigger picture’ and were keen to back the club’s initiative for that game without recompense.
“With that in mind, and in conjunction with O’Neill’s, the voucher scheme was established.
“However, for those fans who do not wish to avail of this offer, we will class their voucher as a donation to the Valhalla Foundation, our award-winning charity.”
against Halifax
to promote the Everyman Campaign
, which raises awareness of testicular
and prostate
cancer
in men.
The specially designed kit was manufactured by the Vikings current kit manufacturer O'Neils. The design of the kit was featured around a "nude" look, with the shirt made to look like a bare chested male torso
, and the shorts made to look like males thighs, with a fig leaf
covering the genital area.
Fans could purchase the special edition shirt from Wednesday 10 March. The shirt cost £40 and in aid of event O'Neil's donated £5 from every shirt sale to the Everyman charity. Fans were also able to make a donation online through a special page set up by the Vikings on the Justgiving
website. Fans were also able to donate on the night at the Stobart Stadium Halton
as volunteers were available within the stadium to collect donations.
To raise further funds for the charity, fans were able to purchase the match shirts worn by the players on the night through an auction
run by the club. Fans were given until 5.00 pm on Monday 22 March to submit a bid to the club. Bids opened up at a minimum price of £50.00 and bids could be submitted by e-mail or by leaving a bid in a sealed envelope at the club reception.
Vikings chairman Steve O'Connor said: "Nearly everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. Unfortunately among men it is still a problem we don't like to talk about. We want to help raise awareness of the symptoms - and how to get help - and also help to raise money for such an important cause. We have chosen the Halifax game because we are expecting a big crowd so we can make a significant donation to Everyman".
Everyman spokesperson Tatjana Trposka said: “We are thrilled with the support we have received from Widnes Vikings. We desperately need to raise more awareness and funds to fight prostate and testicular cancers and we are another step closer thanks to the help of Widnes.
, John Duffy
, Richard Fletcher
, Tim Hartley
, Michael Ostick and Brett Robinson
all left in transfer deals, whilst Danny Mills
and Lee Paterson
were released.
Many of the moves were forced due to RFL
reducing the salary cap. Previously the Championship's salary cap operated by limiting a club’s player costs to no more than 50% of the club’s income and is capped at a limit of £400,000. The new figures for 2010 will be reduced to 40% and £300,000, respectively.
Sporting Director Terry O'Connor
said: "I know some of the players leaving would prefer to stay and we would like to keep them but with the reduction of the salary cap to £300,000, we have to spend accordingly".
Under new rulings Super League
players are eligible for dual registration with a Championship club. The dual registration system is different to a loan agreement. Dual registered players can be called back at any time by their original club, when needed to play for them intermittently based upon form or injuries. When they are not needed by their original club they are eligible to play for their alternative dual registered club.
A player is only eligible for dual registration if they are outside the top 20 players (financially) of the Super League club's playing squad. Dual registered players are not allowed to feature in Challenge Cup
games for their alternative club.
Loan players may go to Championship Clubs or to Super League clubs but must go for a minimum of 4 weeks.
and France
. Vikings assistant coach Stuart Wilkinson
assisted former Widnes star Bobbie Goulding
by leading the French
national team into the Four Nations, against England
, Australia and New Zealand
.
France's opening game was against England in the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster
. Wilkinson and Goulding's French outfit started off strong taking a 12-4 lead at half time. England put in a strong second half performance scoring 30 unanswered point to win the game 34-12. Results didn't get much better for the French side as they were punished 62-12 by New Zealand in their second game of the competition and defeated 42-4 by Australia in their final game.
Despite losing all three games Wilkinson believes the experience will prove invaluable to him as a coach as he gained valuable insights on some new training and tactical ideas he plans to introduce to the training pitch at Widnes. He said: “It’s great working with and against the game’s elite and pitting your wits against the best players and coaches in the world. Since returning I’ve already discussed tactics with Paul
at length and we’ll see what we can do."
neighbours and fierce rivals Warrington Wolves
, in the World of Beds Cup on Boxing Day
. This will also be the first time the fans get the chance to see some of the Vikings new signings in action.
It will be the first time former Wolves player Steve Pickersgill
faces up against his old club after his transfer to the Vikings during the off season. Vikings Head Coach Paul Cullen
also a former Warrington Wolves player stated that the tie is not about "me versus Warrington", it’s about getting a good run-out for some of our players and raising some funds".
However, freezing weather conditions
led to the game being cancelled as the surface was unplayable, and road conditions treacherous for fans. The game was re-scheduled for Sunday, January 3rd but again the severe weather conditions resulted in the game being cancelled a second time.
and conditioning coach Mick Cassidy continued their pre-season preparations by getting the Widnes side ready for a seaside clash with Blackpool Panthers
in the absence of head coach Paul Cullen
who was granted compassionate leave by the club whilst his wife is receiving treatment for cancer
.
The snow and ice has meant the temporary duo of Wilkinson and Cassidy have had the unenviable task of finding alternative methods of preparing the squad for the Blackpool fixture. Wilkinson is happy to do all he can to help out during a difficult time for the club, he said: “I love the coaching work that I do and I have no aspiration to be a head coach, but it’s a case of needs must at the moment. We’re working in an unusual circumstances and Paul will be in and out. We're all supporting Paul in the best way we can and so myself and Mick Cassidy will ensure everything runs like he wants it to.”
Despite all the effort put in on both sides to prepare for the fixture, the freezing weather conditions
have again interrupted the Viking's pre season schedule. Due to snow and ice the pitch has been deemed unplayable and the Blackpool Panthers vs Widnes Vikings game was cancelled.
suffered a 42-26 defeat at the hands of Super League
giants St. Helens in the Karalius Cup. This is the second time the sides have met in the Karalius Cup which was set up in honour of Vince Karalius
who was a well decorated player for both Widnes and St Helens in the 1950s and 1960s. Vince died from cancer in 2008.
This was the first run out the players had had in the 2010 campaign after the Vikings pre-season preparations were hampered by severe weather conditions, dubbed the Big Freeze
by the media. Severe snowfall had resulted in unplayable conditions with caused both the Warrington Wolves
and Blackpool Panthers
games to be cancelled. For many of the Vikings players this was the first time they had played in months and was a chance to try to cement their place in the starting line up for the upcoming Co-operative Championship season.
Saint's arrived at the Stobart Stadium with plenty of players who are expecting to see first team action in this years Super League
campaign, with Saints imposing an early 22 point lead after four unanswered tries from Gary Wheeler
, Jamie Foster
, Sia Soliola
and Bryn Hargreaves
and 3 conversions from Jamie Foster
.
Widnes who chose to wear their new 2010 away strip for the clash soon broke through the St Helens defence with two tries from Dean Thompson who was thrust into the starting line up after Toa Kohe-Love
pulled a ham string during the pre-game warm up. Shane Grady followed up with successful conversions to add the extras to make it 22-12.
Tom Armstrong
increased the St Helens lead before a superb 80 metre inter-passing run between Anthony Thackeray
and Danny Hulme with Thackeray going in for the points to score the final try of the half.
The Vikings were first off the mark in the second half with a try from Matt Strong who went in over the line from close range as he made the most of his opportunity following a fumble on possession from the Saints.
Saints followed up with tries from Gary Wheeler
and dual registered Chris Dean
.
The Saints lead was quickly closed as Matt Gardner went in for another Widnes try, but this was too little too late as the Saints held out a 10 point lead before Jamie Ellis
finished off the Vikings with another St Helens try.
After the game Saints Head coach Mick Potter
was full of admiration for the Vikings. He said: "I think Widnes have got some real players in there who can really make a impact on the Championship next season. From what I seen out there James Webster could still play Super League and with Mark Smith leading them around the park they have a leader. The forwards are pretty solid too, so I think Widnes look in decent shape ahead of the season."
Vikings Head coach Paul Cullen
was also impressed with the Vikings performance. He said: "I was very happy with what I saw out there. The main thing was the players got some quality game time and got out on the pitch. The likes of Dean Thompson has come in for Toa Kohe-Love on the last minute and he has gone over for two tries and he took them well. Shane Grady has also done well."
and Widnes organised this pre-season friendly in France
. The match against Carcassonne, the club with best historical record in France, was well attended with more than 800 spectators.
The Vikings had a pre-season friendly lined up against Salford City Reds
the following day, taking this into account Widnes sent a combination of players from the academy and the reserve side with players ranging from sixteen to twenty one years of age.
This was the first time that the vast majority of the young squad had experienced open age rugby against a Carcassonne consisting seasoned professionals. Two minutes in Widnes lost full back Dave Kennedy, one of our more experienced players, through injury. Kennedy was replaced by Dave Dourley. The young Vikings side stood up well against a vastly more experienced team who were match fit being in the middle of their season. After 8 minutes a towering kick from Danny Craven was pounced on by Mark Briodie to score the opening try of the match, with Craven converting for the extra points.
The Carcassonne forwards were not making much progress but had a good kicking game. Widnes gave away a few penalties early on but were otherwise faultless in defence. A 40-20 by Dave Dourley set up a scrum out on the right and from the scrum good work by Gregg Scott and Tom Rigby sent Chris Moogan over after 23 mins.
The Vikings were penalised for a knock on shortly after the kick off and Carcassonne made the most of the opportunity and after good work from Andreas Bauer went over wide right on 27 mins. Substitutions were coming thick and fast and the French side's half backs came into fruition. A good handling move resulted in a try under the posts after 32 mins. Carcassonne converted making it 10 – 10 at the halftime interval.
The first set of the second half resulted in a try for Adam Lawton but the conversion was missed by Craven. Carcassonne began to make the most of their possession and on 47 mins juggled the ball over the line to score out wide on the left but failed to make the conversion.
The Vikings were penalised for another knock on, which gave Carcassonne the ball close to the Widnes line. Carcassonne again made the most of the opportunity and scored in the corner. This was followed up by a successful conversion to lead 20 - 14.
Widnes’ lack of match fitness was beginning to show, the Vikings made a few breaks but could not capitalise. Carcassonne kept the ball alive on their possession and their prop crashed over for another try and kicked the conversion to take the lead 26 - 14.
Widnes had chances but were giving up possession too easily. The scoring was completed after 67 mins when another good passing move resulted in a Carcassonne try. The conversion was successful give Carcassonne a 32 - 14 lead which they held onto until the end of the match.
at the Stobart Stadium Halton
. Salford fielded their strongest possible side for the friendly match in preparation for the upcoming Super League
season. Amongst the Salford line-up were three former Vikings players Karl Fitzpatrick
, Stephen Tyrer
and Adam Sidlow
, who scored five tries between them.
This is the second time in a week that the Vikings have faced a Super League side after they were defeated last Tuesday (19 January 2010) by St. Helens. Widnes were missing seven senior first team players from the starting line-up, and the younger, inexperienced Vikings side could not cope with the pressure from the Super League side.
Widnes had a few moments early on but a tight Salford defence was able to shut them out. The game lacked any real excitement and was very much a stop start affair, with referee James Child
taking centre stage after interrupting the game 27 times for penalties. The referee was also the centre of a controversial decision when he dismissed Tommy Coyle and Karl Fitzpatrick
after Fitzpatrick struck Coyle after the hooker had delivered a loose high tackle which Widnes Head Coach Paul Cullen said wasn't a sending off offence. Fitzpatrick was then involved in a further incident when he threw his sports drink into a section of Widnes supporters before heading down the tunnel to the dressing room. As a result of the red card Fitzpatrick could miss the start of the Super League season through suspension.
Salford put points on the board early on after Fitzpatrick went over the line after only two minutes of play and again a few moments later for his second. Salford continued the scoring with tries from Steve Tyrer and Ashley Gibson
. Salford took a sixteen point lead into the break and added another twenty points in the second half with tries from Steve Tyrer, Adam Sidlow, Jodie Broughton
and Luke Adamson
. Stefan Ratchford
added the extra points with two successful conversions.
Vikings head coach Paul Cullen can take some comfort in knowing that this is a new squad and he won’t be facing Super League opposition week in week out this season, he said: We won't be playing that calibre of opposition every week. Today was all about using this match to try to toughen ourselves up and if that’s all we’ve got out of it, so be it. Salford were very good and you have to take into account the opposition here and that they are in Super League. We had a number of key players missing, but it's a trial game and the real work starts next week.”
Karl Fitzpatrick issued a public apology the following day to the Widnes supports for his conduct as he left the field after his red card. Fitzpatrick offered to personally meet and apologise to any Vikings supporters that were affected by his actions. Director of Football for Salford Steve Simms said: “Karl was shook up by our version of events and he has no recollection of any of it. The blow to the head has knocked the sense out of him. However, none of this condones what happened out there, for which Karl and the Club are deeply apologetic”.
, known as the Northern Rail Cup for sponsorship reasons. This is a competition for clubs in the Co-operative Championship and Championship One. The exception to this is Toulouse Olympique
, who do not participate in the cup at present.
After a disappointing pre-season, the Vikings kicked off the start to their regular season schedule with an impressive 50 - 6 win over Gateshead Thunder
in the Northern Rail Cup.
The Vikings are current Northern Rail Cup defending champions after winning the competition last year. The victory last year gave the Vikings the so called "tick in the box" for a Super League licence
, but Vikings Skipper Mark Smith
admits the team are still hungry for success and want to make opening statement of their intent not to the trophy go. He said:- "It means a lot to be defending the trophy, we’ve got the tick but it’s no different. We want to defend it and win it. People used to call it the Mickey Mouse Cup but I’ll tell you something, every cat and his dog wants to win it now to get the tick in the box."
After a disappointing defeat to Super League Salford City Reds
in a friendly match a week earlier, Vikings fans were expecting a better result against Co-Operative Championship 1
Gateshead. Speaking on Gateshead, Assistant Coach Stuart Wilkinson
said:- "I thought they were very good and I won’t be surprised if they do well again this year. I like the enterprising and exciting way they play. We’ve got a lot of respect for them but at this time our focus will mainly be on ourselves and what we can do better."
Paddy Flynn, Gareth Haggerty
, Toa Kohe-Love
and Richard Varkulis
were all missing from the Vikings line-up as they are all struggle to be fit after picking up injuries during pre-season.
The Vikings opened the scoring after only four minutes with a try from Anthony Thackeray
. New signing James Ford
, who is making his first competitive debut for Widnes, scored two tries in quick session minutes later.
Steve Pickersgill
put himself in contention for try of the night after following up his own grubber kick to score under the posts. Scott Yates added the extra's from the conversion.
Another try followed from Matt Gardner and it quickly became obvious the Vikings would be far too strong Gateshead, after James Ford sealed of an impressive first half performance by completing his hatrick on 27 minutes.
Dual registered Chris Dean
, who made his second Widnes appearance after returning from St. Helens went over 4 minutes later. Shane Grady completed the first half scoring with a try over in the left hand corner, to give the Vikings a 34 - 0 lead going in at the half time break.
It took only 8 minutes after the break for James Ford to bag his fourth try of the night. Shane Grady added the extra's for the Conversion.
Gateshead held out well and it took the Vikings a further 20 minutes before Chris Dean crossed the line for his second try of the night.
Gateshead scored a consolation try 8 minutes from time after Robin Peers pounced on a fumble by Anthony Thackeray
in front of the goal line. Peers also added the extra's from the conversion.
Widnes were not finished yet and Dave Allen scored the final try of the night with 5 minutes left. Shane Grady added the extra's.
Vikings Head coach Paul Cullen
was watching from the sidelines, after watching the pre-season games from the stands whilst on compassionate leave, said:- "It was just good to get on the field . It was a bit disappointing that we were 34-0 up at half time and we didn't cross for a few more scores in the second half. But we can't kid ourselves - at 34-0 the game is done and dusted and we have to back ourselves up with another game at Batley on Sunday".
Shane Grady kept a cool head to seal a 30-30 draw for the Vikings as he kicked a conversion, two minutes from time in the Northern Rail Cup
group game at Batley Bulldogs
. The Kicking game has been a concern for the Vikings at the start of the season, but Grady kept a cool head as he slotted the conversion from a difficult angle out wide.
Assistant coach Stuart Wilkinson insisted before the game that Widnes still have room for improvement, despite hammering Gateshead Thunder
50-6 only 5 days earlier. Wilkinson said: "We’re still not where we want to be. There are things that we’ve improved on but there are other things that we need to focus on over the next couple of weeks."
The Vikings were without Thomas Coyle after his appeal against a one-match ban was unsuccessful. Coyle was sent off for a high tackle during the friendly game against Salford City Reds
on 24 January. The Appeals committee felt the tackle was careless and ruled that as this was not the first time the player’s tackling technique had been highlighted, the suspension should be upheld. The Vikings gave debuts to their new dual signing and loan captures Shaun Ainscough
who started on the wing, and forwards Ben Davies and Liam Farrell started on the bench.
Batley, who were playing up the hill in the first half, opened the scoring on 9 minutes with a try from Lee Greenwood
after he chased down an attacking kick into the corner. Gareth Moore added the extras. It took the Vikings only 4 minutes to respond, after Lee Doran
went over for a try on 13 minutes, with Shane Grady adding the extra's to tie the game 6-6.
On 19 minutes John Campbell controversially bounced over the line after he appeared to be tackled. Widnes players and the fans behind the goal shouted for a double-movement, but referee Gareth Hewer blew the whistle for the try. Gareth Moore added the extras to give the Bulldogs a 12-6 lead.
There was nothing wrong with Batley's next try though as James Martin
ploughed through the line to score on 28 minutes. Gareth Moore added the extras.
Just before half time the Bulldogs bit again with a second try from Lee Greenwood on 37 minutes. Gareth Moore added the extra's to make it 24-16 to the Batley at half time.
Widnes came out strong in the second half and opened the scoring on 39 minutes with a try from Ben Kavanagh. Shane Grady added the extras.
The Bulldogs edged further ahead after poor defending allowed Lee Greenwood to kick deep and evade the Vikings defence, before heading downfield. Greenwood kicked ahead again, and John Campbell won the race for Batley to score on 46 minutes. Gareth Moore made the conversion to give the Bulldogs a 30-16 lead.
Widnes kept their heads up and a well placed kick into the corner from Anthony Thackeray
was pounced on by dual registered Shaun Ainscough, to put the Vikings right back into the game on 53 minutes with a well taken try. Shane Grady missed the conversion.
Thackeray turned from hero to villain 7 minutes later, when he was dismissed to the Sin Bin on 60 minutes after Thackeray reacted to John Campbell grabbing him as they came out of the tackle and pushed Campbell over as he stood back up. Referee consulted the touch judge and shown Thackeray the yellow card. After the game Thackeray said: "I’ve never been sent off the field in my life as I’m not really like that, but he did grab me and that’s why I reacted. I was gutted and felt like I’d let the lads down."
The Vikings who were a man down due to Thackeray's sin bin offence were still able to plough through for a try when Shaun Ainscough went over for his second on 68 minutes. Shane Grady added the extra's to make it 30 - 24.
With time running out, Thackeray was again the centre of the action when he returned from his stint in the sin bin, Thackeray was able to slice his way his way through a tire Batley defence to score a try on 75 minutes. Grady who had seen three of five kicks miss the target kept a cool head and kicked the conversion to make it 30 - 30.
Paul Handforth lined up for a 79th minute drop goal for Batley but his kick missed and Widnes were able to regain possession. The final hooter sounded and it finished 30 - 30.
A try from Shaun Ainscough
in the dying seconds of the Northern Rail Cup
match against Barrow Raiders
secured a victory for the Vikings over their Co-Operative Championship rivals.
In the first half Barrow opened up the scoring on 12 minutes through a James Nixon
try. Jamie Rooney
converted the extra's. Widnes were soon level Liam Farrell went over on 21 minutes after some excellent build up play from James Webster and Anthony Thackeray. Shane Grady added the extra's to make it 6-6.
The Vikings failed to recover the kick off and Barrow punished them for the mistake with a try from Liam Harrison on 25 minutes. Jamie Rooney converted the extra points to make it 6-12 to Barrow.
Barrow continued to put the pressure on Widnes and Nathan Mossop scored for Barrow on 29 minutes. Rooney missed the conversion, but was on target 8 minutes later when Barrow opted to kick a penalty. Rooney put the penalty kick between the uprights on 37 minutes to give Barrow a 6 - 18 lead at the end of the first half.
Jamie Rooney opened up scoring in the second half for Barrow, when Barrow opted for a penalty kick on 60 minutes, giving barrow a 6 - 20 lead.
The game was looking beyond the Vikings until Dave Houghton ploughed through the Barrow line after spinning out of a tackle to score a try on 61 minutes. Shane Grady converted the extra points to make it 12 - 20.
Both sides were reduced to 12 men in the 73rd minute when Ben Kavanagh was shown the red car for a high tackle on Rob Roberts
, Roberts threw a punch in retaliation and was shown the yellow card and sent to the sin-bin.
Thomas Coyle began the Widnes fight back by powering his way over the line from the scrum to score a try on 77 minutes. Shane Grady added the extra's to make it 18 - 20.
From the kick off Widnes threw everything they had at a tired looking Barrow side. Quick hands down the right handside from Mark Smith
and Toa Kohe-Love
set up Shaun Ainscough to score the final try of the match on 79 minutes. The Barrow players slumped on the ground as the hooter sounded to signal the end of the match whilst the Vikings were still celebrating. Grady missed the conversion and it finished Widnes 22 & Barrow 20.
This was the first visit to the Stobart Stadium Halton
for former Vikings, and current Barrow Head Coach Steve McCormack
since he left the Vikings. Speaking after the game McCormack said: "Credit to Widnes with the way they stuck at it and kept going at the end. Widnes put us under a lot of pressure in the second half and it paid off for them."
Vikings head coach Paul Cullen
said: "It really was a massive effort. To give a side as good as Barrow that much ball and defend as well as we did gives us great hope for the future. "Considering we lost four players hours before the kick-off (through injury), and then to win the game when we were down to 12 men is testimony to the side's fitness and character."
Widnes only needed one bonus point from the game against Swinton Lions
to qualify for the quarter finals of the Northern Rail Cup, However, the Vikings secured all three points after they defeated Swinton 36-12 in front of 816 spectators who braved the elements of hail, snow and sleet at Park Lane.
Swinton put the first points on the board with a try on 4 minutes from Richie Hawkyard. Former Vikings man Gavin Dodd added the extras for Swinton to gave them an early 6 - 0 lead.
Widnes struck back six minutes later when Toa Kohe-Love showed good strength to force his way over for a try on 10 mins. Shane Grady missed the conversion.
Grady made amends three minutes later after he latched onto a long pass from Mark Smith to make a powerful break downfield before a short inside pass to send Matt Gardner in for a try on 12 minutes. Grady converted the extras to give Widnes a 10-6 lead.
Dodd brought things level on 19 minutes with a try in the corner, however he missed the conversion to add the extras.
The Vikings pulled further ahead through Shane Grady when he went over for a try on 22 minutes. His conversion attempt from the touchline struck the post and stayed out and it was 14 - 10 to the Vikings.
Gavin Dodd pulled another two points back for Swinton after he converted a penalty kick on 31 minutes to make it 14 - 12.
The Vikings stretched their lead on 39 minutes after Shaun Ainscough chased a kick downfield, his opposite number Rob Foxen collected the kick but ainsouch was quick to react and stole the ball from Foxen and ran it in for a try. Grady added the extra's to give Widnes a 20 - 12 lead at half time.
The conditions were difficult for the players in the second half as the weather go worse, if it were not for the slippy ball and surface there could have been more tries in the second half. Toa Kohe-Love went over on 52 mins with Shane Grady adding the extra's to give Widnes a 26 - 12 lead.
Widnes struck again on 53 minutes after a powerful break up midfield from Gareth Haggerty who released the ball inside for Mark Smith to dash 45 metres to score under the posts. Grady added the extra's to make it 32 - 12.
Anthony Thackeray went over for Widnes on 72 minutes to score the final try of the match. Grady missed the extra's and the game finished 32 - 12 to Widnes.
rugby league tournament which began its preliminary stages in January.
The Challenge Cup is the most competitive European rugby league tournament at club level and is open to teams from England
, Wales
, Scotland
, France
and Russia
.
The final of the Challenge Cup is one of the most prestigious matches in world rugby league, and is traditionally held at Wembley Stadium
, London
. Despite London not being an area traditionally associated with rugby league, the final receives a lot of mainstream media coverage and is broadcast to many different countries around the world.
Super League side Warrington Wolves
are the reigning champions, following their 16–25 victory over Huddersfield Giants
in the 2009 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on 29 August 2009.
Widnes Vikings joined the 2010 Challenge Cup in the third round and were drawn against amateur side Wigan St Judes.
The Vikings sailed through into the fourth round of the Challenge Cup after a comfortable 64 - 12 win over amateur club Wigan St Judes.
The match was originally due to take place on Sunday 7 March at 15:00 GMT, but was cancelled due to a frozen pitch. The match was re-scheduled for 9 March at 19:30 GMT.
St Judes got off to a dream start when Lee Maiden broke away and went over to score a try on 7 minutes. Dave Tickton kicked the conversion to make it 0 - 6 to the visitors.
Widnes hit back 5 minutes later with a try from Dave Allen on 12 minutes. Shane Grady missed the conversion to make it 4 - 6.
The Vikings assault continued with two tries in quick succession on 21 & 22 minutes from Lee Doran and Anthony Thackeray. With Shane Grady converting both kicks made it 16 - 6 to the Vikings.
Lee Doran showed his pace as he ran 50 meters up field to give Widnes good field position. St Judes were unable to hold out and Scott Yates scored a try on 27 minutes to make it 20 - 6. Shane Grady missed the conversion.
The Vikings scored their fifth try of the half on 31 minutes when Dave Houghton went over the line. Shane Grady kicked the conversion to give the Vikings a comfortable 26 - 6 lead at half time.
It only took 1 minute of the second half for Widnes to put points on the board. Shane Grady showed excellent movement to score a try on 41 minutes, but he was unable to make the conversion. Widnes lead 30 - 6.
St Judes were determined to give their loyal travelling support something to shout about. Quick feet from Darley King enabled him to break away and score St Judes second try of the night on 45 minutes. Dave Picton was on target again as he kicked the conversion to make it 30 - 12.
Richard Varkulis and Danny Hulme scored a series of four tries between them within a 20 minute period. Danny Hulme began the onslaught with a try on 48 minutes. Shane Grady added the extra points.
Richard Varkulis scored went over for a Widnes try seven minutes later on 48 minutes. Shane Grady added the extras.
The impressive youngster Danny Hulme got his second try of the night on 59 minutes. Shane Grady completed the conversion.
Varkulis completed the 20 minute onslaught with a try on 68 minutes. Shane Grady missed the conversion but the Vikings lead 52 - 12.
Dave Allen became the third Widnes player of the night to score a double try, when he went scored on 72 minutes. Shane Grady added the extras.
Thomas Coyle finished things off four minutes from time when he scored on 76 minutes. Grady was again on target to kick his eight conversion of the night. Widnes finished the game 64 - 12.
.
The two worst performing teams during the season, with the exception of Toulouse Olympique
, will be relegated to Championship 1. There is no automatic promotion from this league to Super League, which uses a licensing system which renewed every three years. Qualifying for the Grand Final is a prerequisite for Championship clubs to be able to apply for license in the next round of applications for the 2012–14 period
.
The 2010 Co-Operative Championship season will consist of two stages. The regular season is played over 22 round-robin
fixtures, in which each of the eleven teams involved in the competition will play each other once at home
and once away
. In the 2010 Co-Operative Championship, a win is worth three points in the table, a draw is worth one two points apiece, and a loss by 12 points or fewer is worth 1 bonus point.
The league leaders at the end of the regular season will receive the league leaders trophy, but the Championship is decided through the second stage of the season via a playoffs system. The top six teams in the table will contest to play in the Grand Final, the winners of which are crowned 2010 Co-Operative Champions.
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
are competing in the Co-operative Championship in 2010. The Vikings are looking to gain a 2012–14 Super League licence
2012–14 Super League licences
The 2012–14 Super League licences were awarded following the second round of licensing for the Super League rugby league competition. Successful applicants were given a three-year licence to compete in Super League, the premier rugby league competition in Europe.-Application...
, as applications for Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
license has to be submitted by the end of the 2010 season. The Vikings are also looking to improve on their 2009
2009 Co-operative Championship
The 2009 Co-operative Championship is a semi-professional rugby league football competition played in the United Kingdom and France one tier below the first tier Super League...
league position when they finished 4th. Widnes are also defending 2010 National League Cup
2010 National League Cup
The 2010 Championship Cup, named the 2010 Northern Rail Cup due to sponsorship from Northern Rail, is a rugby league football competition for clubs in Great Britain's Co-operative Championship and Championship One, formerly known as the Rugby League National Leagues. The 2010 edition of this cup...
champions this season after they won the competition in 2009.
2010 Strip
The Widnes Vikings unveiled their new 2010 home shirt on Tuesday 1 December 2009 in front of 300 fans at the Stobart Stadium HaltonHalton Stadium
The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves...
.
Manufactured by Irish based O’Neill’s Sportswear
O'Neills
O'Neills Irish International Sports Company Ltd. was established in 1918. It is the largest manufacturer of sportswear in Ireland and has manufacturing plants in Dublin and Strabane....
, the shirt has been specially designed with advances moisture control allowing the body to breathe easily with the garment feeling dry and cool to contribute to improved player performance.
The main shirt sponsor is the Stobart Group
Stobart Group
Stobart Group Ltd is a large British multimodal logistics company, with interests in Transport and Distribution, Estates, Infrastructure and Civils, Air and Biomass, through operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Belgium...
, which features the word 'Stobart' written across the front of the shirt. The strip also has four coloured lines (1 black, 2 red and another black line) stretching up the left hand side of the shirt, these four lines are similar to the three red lines the Stobart Group use on their haulage
Haulage
Haulage may refer to:* The business of being a haulier or hauler , also called haulage contractor, common carrier, contract carrier, or private carrier, in other words of transporting goods by road or rail for other companies or one's own company.* The horizontal transport of ore, coal, supplies,...
vehicles.
The shirt also features the RFL
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
’s ‘Try Assist’ logo, the new name for the RFL Benevolent Fund and a new sleeve sponsor for 2010 in Halton Housing Trust. The logo of Halton Borough Council is also displayed on the right hand side of the chest on the front of the shirt.
During the event the 2010 squad numbers were announced and fans were able to pre-order the new shirt which the Vikings will wear against Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
in the World of Beds Cup on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
.
For the Gateshead Thunder game in 2009, chairman Steve O’Connor offered free admission for all Vikings fans. As season ticket holders did not benefit from this special offer (as they had already paid for the game when purchasing their season ticket), the club decided they would give vouchers to the 2009 season ticket holders who renewed their season tickets during an 'Ealry Bird' promotion. The vouchers were for fans to use on kit manufacturer O’Neills merchandise in the January sales.
Fans could claim discounts on Vikings items from the store, including the new 2010 strip. The discounts were: adult season ticket holders £10, concession season ticket holders £7 and junior season ticket holders £2. These discounts could only be applied when visiting the O'Neils store in Widnes
Widnes
Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England, with an urban area population of 57,663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn...
town centre.
Vikings’ CEO Alex Bonney explained the thinking behind the initiative: “Steve’s offer in June came when things weren’t going well on the pitch and the comeback against Gateshead, plus the atmosphere generated by our fans, set the team up for the victory over Halifax in the NRC semi-final and ultimately the final victory over Barrow to give us the ability to apply for a 2012 Super League licence.
“While recognising that season ticket holders had already paid for this game as part of their 2009 ticket, we had planned to discount their 2010 season ticket but were heartened that a number of fans spoke to us to say that they understood the ‘bigger picture’ and were keen to back the club’s initiative for that game without recompense.
“With that in mind, and in conjunction with O’Neill’s, the voucher scheme was established.
“However, for those fans who do not wish to avail of this offer, we will class their voucher as a donation to the Valhalla Foundation, our award-winning charity.”
Special Edition Charity Kit
On Thursday 18 March Widnes wore a specially designed "one-off" charity kit during their Co-Operative Championship match, that was broadcast live on Sky SportsSky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
against Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
to promote the Everyman Campaign
Everyman Campaign
The Everyman Campaign is a campaign that was launched in the UK by The Institute of Cancer Research in 1997. It seeks to raise awareness of testicular and prostate cancer and to raise funds to research treatments....
, which raises awareness of testicular
Testicle
The testicle is the male gonad in animals. Like the ovaries to which they are homologous, testes are components of both the reproductive system and the endocrine system...
and prostate
Prostate
The prostate is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male reproductive system in most mammals....
cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in men.
The specially designed kit was manufactured by the Vikings current kit manufacturer O'Neils. The design of the kit was featured around a "nude" look, with the shirt made to look like a bare chested male torso
Torso
Trunk or torso is an anatomical term for the central part of the many animal bodies from which extend the neck and limbs. The trunk includes the thorax and abdomen.-Major organs:...
, and the shorts made to look like males thighs, with a fig leaf
Fig leaf
A fig leaf is the covering up of an act or an object that is embarrassing or disagreeable. The term is a metaphorical reference to the Biblical Book of Genesis, in which Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover "their nakedness" after eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and...
covering the genital area.
Fans could purchase the special edition shirt from Wednesday 10 March. The shirt cost £40 and in aid of event O'Neil's donated £5 from every shirt sale to the Everyman charity. Fans were also able to make a donation online through a special page set up by the Vikings on the Justgiving
Justgiving
JustGiving is a private for-profit company formed in 2000 for the administration of charitable donations. The company's website provides online fundraising tools to enable the electronic collection of donations.- Details :...
website. Fans were also able to donate on the night at the Stobart Stadium Halton
Halton Stadium
The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves...
as volunteers were available within the stadium to collect donations.
To raise further funds for the charity, fans were able to purchase the match shirts worn by the players on the night through an auction
Auction
An auction is a process of buying and selling goods or services by offering them up for bid, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder...
run by the club. Fans were given until 5.00 pm on Monday 22 March to submit a bid to the club. Bids opened up at a minimum price of £50.00 and bids could be submitted by e-mail or by leaving a bid in a sealed envelope at the club reception.
Vikings chairman Steve O'Connor said: "Nearly everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. Unfortunately among men it is still a problem we don't like to talk about. We want to help raise awareness of the symptoms - and how to get help - and also help to raise money for such an important cause. We have chosen the Halifax game because we are expecting a big crowd so we can make a significant donation to Everyman".
Everyman spokesperson Tatjana Trposka said: “We are thrilled with the support we have received from Widnes Vikings. We desperately need to raise more awareness and funds to fight prostate and testicular cancers and we are another step closer thanks to the help of Widnes.
Transfers & Squad
It was all change for Widnes during pre-season with eight popular first team players leaving the Stobart Stadium Halton for pastures new. Gavin DoddGavin Dodd
Gavin Dodd is an English rugby league player.Dodd plays for Swinton in National League One. He also plays for Ireland.Dodd's position of choice is as a winger or at full-back, but he can also operate as a centre.Gavin Dodd is also a useful goal-kicker....
, John Duffy
John Duffy (rugby league)
John Duffy born in England is a rugby league player for Leigh Centurions in coop championship.John Duffy's position of choice is as a / and he can also operate as a /, and ....
, Richard Fletcher
Richard Fletcher (rugby league)
Richard Fletcher born on 17 May 1981 in Hull, England is a rugby league player for Widnes Vikings in National League One.Richard Fletcher's position of choice is in the and he can also operate as a ....
, Tim Hartley
Tim Hartley
Tim Hartley born in 2 January 1986 in Warrington, Cheshire, England is a rugby league player for Widnes Vikings in National League One.Tim Hartley's position of choice is as a stand-off....
, Michael Ostick and Brett Robinson
Brett Robinson
Brett Robinson is a former Australian Rugby union player and sports executive with the Australian Rugby Union. Robinson was captain of the ACT Brumbies in the Super 12 competition and played 16 Test matches for the Australia national rugby union team, the "Wallabies". Robinson attended Downlands...
all left in transfer deals, whilst Danny Mills
Danny Mills (rugby league)
Danny Mills is a professional rugby league player for the Widnes Vikings. His position is . He formerly played for Huddersfield Giants, Doncaster and Sheffield Eagles.-References:...
and Lee Paterson
Lee Paterson
Lee Paterson is an English born Scottish professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Scotland, and at club level for Keighley Cougars, York City Knights, Batley Bulldogs, Carpentras XIII, Widnes Vikings, and Featherstone Rovers, playing at , , or .-International...
were released.
Many of the moves were forced due to RFL
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
reducing the salary cap. Previously the Championship's salary cap operated by limiting a club’s player costs to no more than 50% of the club’s income and is capped at a limit of £400,000. The new figures for 2010 will be reduced to 40% and £300,000, respectively.
Sporting Director Terry O'Connor
Terry O'Connor (rugby league)
Terry O'Connor is an English former rugby league footballer. His position was , or .-Career:A native of Widnes, O'Connor was picked up from local Widnes side St Maries after also playing for Widnes Tigers. He was a former barla international and toured NZ with them in 1991...
said: "I know some of the players leaving would prefer to stay and we would like to keep them but with the reduction of the salary cap to £300,000, we have to spend accordingly".
Transfers In
| Players In | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Signed From | Date Signed | Contract Length |
| James Ford | Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'... |
1 September 2009 | 2 Years |
| Steve Pickersgill Steve Pickersgill Steve Pickersgill born 28 November 1985 in Warrington, Cheshire, England is a rugby league player for Warrington Wolves in the European Super League.Steve Pickersgill's position of choice is as a prop and he can play in the second-row.-External links:*... |
Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... |
15th September2009 | 3 Years |
| Thomas Coyle Thomas Coyle Thomas Coyle was a Canadian accused, along with Phoebe Campbell, of the 1871 murder of Phoebe's husband George Campbell. Coyle was acquitted and he later moved to England.... |
Oldham Roughyeds Oldham Roughyeds Oldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895.... |
5 October 2009 | |
| Gareth Haggerty Gareth Haggerty Gareth Haggerty is an Irish international rugby league player. He plays for the Widnes Vikings in the Co-operative Championship. He previously played for Harlequins RL, St Helens, and Salford City Reds all of whom he play in the European Super League.Haggerty's usual position is prop-forward... |
Harlequins | 6 October 2009 | 1 Year |
| Chris Gerrard | Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
6 October 2009 | 2 Years |
Loan/Dual Registration
Under new rulings Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
players are eligible for dual registration with a Championship club. The dual registration system is different to a loan agreement. Dual registered players can be called back at any time by their original club, when needed to play for them intermittently based upon form or injuries. When they are not needed by their original club they are eligible to play for their alternative dual registered club.
A player is only eligible for dual registration if they are outside the top 20 players (financially) of the Super League club's playing squad. Dual registered players are not allowed to feature in Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
games for their alternative club.
Loan players may go to Championship Clubs or to Super League clubs but must go for a minimum of 4 weeks.
| Loan/Dual Registration | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Contracted Club | Contract Type | Contract Length | Date Signed |
| Chris Dean Chris Dean Christopher David Dean born 17 January 1988 in Higher End, Wigan, Greater Manchester, is a rugby league player for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the engage Super League. Dean's position of choice is as in the but he can also operate as a or on the . Chris signed for St. Helens aged 15 from the... |
St. Helens | Dual Registration | Full Season | December 2009 |
| Shaun Ainscough Shaun Ainscough Shaun Ainscough is an English professional rugby league footballer, currently playing for the Bradford Bulls of the Super League.His preferred position is on the wing... |
Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
Dual Registration | Full Season | February 2010 |
| Liam Farrel | Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
Dual Registration | Full Season | February 2010 |
| Ben Davies Ben Davies (rugby league) Benjamin "Danger" Davies is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League. He is a prop by preference and signed for the club from local amateur team Leigh East... |
Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
Loan | 3 Months | February 2010 |
Transfers Out
| Players Out | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Transferred To | Date Left | |
| John Duffy John Duffy (rugby league) John Duffy born in England is a rugby league player for Leigh Centurions in coop championship.John Duffy's position of choice is as a / and he can also operate as a /, and .... |
Leigh Centurions Leigh Centurions Leigh Centurions is an English professional rugby league club based in Leigh, Greater Manchester who play in the Co-operative Championship.The club was founded in 1878 as Leigh Rugby Football Club and is one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in... |
September 2009 | |
| Iain Morrison Iain Morrison Iain Morrison is a rugby league player for the Featherstone Rovers after signing in October 2009. He was signed for Hull Kingston Rovers from Huddersfield Giants after he had initially come through London Broncos academy.... |
Featherstone Rovers Featherstone Rovers Featherstone Rovers are a semi-professional rugby league club, based in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England. They currently play in the Championship. The Rovers are one of the last vestiges of "small town teams" that were once common in rugby league during the early twentieth century... |
October 2009 | |
| Gavin Dodd Gavin Dodd Gavin Dodd is an English rugby league player.Dodd plays for Swinton in National League One. He also plays for Ireland.Dodd's position of choice is as a winger or at full-back, but he can also operate as a centre.Gavin Dodd is also a useful goal-kicker.... |
October 2009 | ||
| Richard Fletcher Richard Fletcher (rugby league) Richard Fletcher born on 17 May 1981 in Hull, England is a rugby league player for Widnes Vikings in National League One.Richard Fletcher's position of choice is in the and he can also operate as a .... |
October 2009 | ||
| Tim Hartley Tim Hartley Tim Hartley born in 2 January 1986 in Warrington, Cheshire, England is a rugby league player for Widnes Vikings in National League One.Tim Hartley's position of choice is as a stand-off.... |
October 2009 | ||
| Brett Robinson | October 2009 | ||
| Danny Mills | Released | October 2009 | |
| Lee Paterson Lee Paterson Lee Paterson is an English born Scottish professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Scotland, and at club level for Keighley Cougars, York City Knights, Batley Bulldogs, Carpentras XIII, Widnes Vikings, and Featherstone Rovers, playing at , , or .-International... |
Released | October 2009 | |
| Josh Simm | Released | October 2009 | |
| Michael Ostick | Rochdale Hornets Rochdale Hornets Rochdale Hornets RLFC is an English professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. They currently play in Championship One... |
December 2009 | |
Pre season
The international rugby league season took place between the 2009 and 2010 seasons, with the Four Nations being held in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Vikings assistant coach Stuart Wilkinson
Stuart Wilkinson (rugby league)
Stuart Wilkinson from in Ulverston is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player from Barrow in Cumbria. He is currently the Elite Coach Mentor for the French Rugby League and assistant coach for the Widnes Vikings of the Co-operative Championship...
assisted former Widnes star Bobbie Goulding
Bobbie Goulding
Bobbie Goulding is an English rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently the French national team's head coach....
by leading the French
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
national team into the Four Nations, against England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
, Australia and New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
.
France's opening game was against England in the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster
Doncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
. Wilkinson and Goulding's French outfit started off strong taking a 12-4 lead at half time. England put in a strong second half performance scoring 30 unanswered point to win the game 34-12. Results didn't get much better for the French side as they were punished 62-12 by New Zealand in their second game of the competition and defeated 42-4 by Australia in their final game.
Despite losing all three games Wilkinson believes the experience will prove invaluable to him as a coach as he gained valuable insights on some new training and tactical ideas he plans to introduce to the training pitch at Widnes. He said: “It’s great working with and against the game’s elite and pitting your wits against the best players and coaches in the world. Since returning I’ve already discussed tactics with Paul
Paul Cullen (rugby league)
Paul Cullen is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Widnes Vikings of the Co-operative Championship. Cullen previously coached the Warrington Wolves as well as the England national team...
at length and we’ll see what we can do."
Fixtures/Results
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Game Won | |
| Game Drawn | |
| Game Lost | |
| Game Abandoned |
| Round | Date | Kickoff (GMT) | Home/Away | Opponent | Result | Score | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26/12/2009 | 15:00 | H | Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... |
A | A - A | Stobart Stadium Halton Halton Stadium The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves... |
- |
| 2 | 10/01/2010 | 15:00 | A | Blackpool Panthers Blackpool Panthers Blackpool & The Fylde Panthers RLFC was an English professional rugby league club based in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. They played at Woodlands Memorial Ground owned by Fylde rugby union club... |
A | A - A | Woodlands Memorial Ground Woodlands Memorial Ground Woodlands Memorial Ground is a rugby stadium in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England. It is the home of Fylde Rugby Club and Blackpool Panthers between 2006 and 2010.... |
- |
| 3 | 19/01/2010 | 19:30 | H | St. Helens | L | 26 - 42 | Stobart Stadium Halton Halton Stadium The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves... |
2,034 |
| 4 | 23/01/2010 | 15:00 | A | AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... |
L | 32 - 14 | Stade d'Albert Domec Stade d'Albert Domec Stade d'Albert Domec is a multi-use stadium in Carcassonne, France. It has a capacity of 10,000 spectators, and is used mostly for rugby league and rugby union matches. It hosted many matches in various Rugby League World Cups. It has a bronze statue of Carcassonne's most famous player, Puig Aubert.... |
800 |
| 5 | 24/01/2010 | 15:00 | H | Salford City Reds Salford City Reds Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup... |
L | 0 - 36 | Stobart Stadium Halton Halton Stadium The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves... |
1,780 |
Round 1: vs. Warrington
Widnes Vikings are hoping to open up their pre-season schedule with a win over Super LeagueSuper League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
neighbours and fierce rivals Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
, in the World of Beds Cup on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
. This will also be the first time the fans get the chance to see some of the Vikings new signings in action.
It will be the first time former Wolves player Steve Pickersgill
Steve Pickersgill
Steve Pickersgill born 28 November 1985 in Warrington, Cheshire, England is a rugby league player for Warrington Wolves in the European Super League.Steve Pickersgill's position of choice is as a prop and he can play in the second-row.-External links:*...
faces up against his old club after his transfer to the Vikings during the off season. Vikings Head Coach Paul Cullen
Paul Cullen (rugby league)
Paul Cullen is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Widnes Vikings of the Co-operative Championship. Cullen previously coached the Warrington Wolves as well as the England national team...
also a former Warrington Wolves player stated that the tie is not about "me versus Warrington", it’s about getting a good run-out for some of our players and raising some funds".
However, freezing weather conditions
Winter of 2009–2010 in the United Kingdom
The winter of 2009–2010 in the United Kingdom was a meteorological event that started on 16 December 2009, as part of the severe winter weather in Europe. January 2010 was provisionally the coldest January since 1987 across the country...
led to the game being cancelled as the surface was unplayable, and road conditions treacherous for fans. The game was re-scheduled for Sunday, January 3rd but again the severe weather conditions resulted in the game being cancelled a second time.
Round 2: vs. Blackpool
Widnes Vikings assistant coach Stuart WilkinsonStuart Wilkinson (rugby league)
Stuart Wilkinson from in Ulverston is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player from Barrow in Cumbria. He is currently the Elite Coach Mentor for the French Rugby League and assistant coach for the Widnes Vikings of the Co-operative Championship...
and conditioning coach Mick Cassidy continued their pre-season preparations by getting the Widnes side ready for a seaside clash with Blackpool Panthers
Blackpool Panthers
Blackpool & The Fylde Panthers RLFC was an English professional rugby league club based in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. They played at Woodlands Memorial Ground owned by Fylde rugby union club...
in the absence of head coach Paul Cullen
Paul Cullen (rugby league)
Paul Cullen is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Widnes Vikings of the Co-operative Championship. Cullen previously coached the Warrington Wolves as well as the England national team...
who was granted compassionate leave by the club whilst his wife is receiving treatment for cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
The snow and ice has meant the temporary duo of Wilkinson and Cassidy have had the unenviable task of finding alternative methods of preparing the squad for the Blackpool fixture. Wilkinson is happy to do all he can to help out during a difficult time for the club, he said: “I love the coaching work that I do and I have no aspiration to be a head coach, but it’s a case of needs must at the moment. We’re working in an unusual circumstances and Paul will be in and out. We're all supporting Paul in the best way we can and so myself and Mick Cassidy will ensure everything runs like he wants it to.”
Despite all the effort put in on both sides to prepare for the fixture, the freezing weather conditions
Winter of 2009–2010 in the United Kingdom
The winter of 2009–2010 in the United Kingdom was a meteorological event that started on 16 December 2009, as part of the severe winter weather in Europe. January 2010 was provisionally the coldest January since 1987 across the country...
have again interrupted the Viking's pre season schedule. Due to snow and ice the pitch has been deemed unplayable and the Blackpool Panthers vs Widnes Vikings game was cancelled.
Round 3: vs. St Helens
2,034 fans braved the bitterly cold weather as the Widnes VikingsWidnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
suffered a 42-26 defeat at the hands of Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
giants St. Helens in the Karalius Cup. This is the second time the sides have met in the Karalius Cup which was set up in honour of Vince Karalius
Vince Karalius
Vincent Peter Patrick Karalius was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning and coach who forged a fearsome reputation both as a strong runner of the ball, and as a devastating tackler.-Club career:...
who was a well decorated player for both Widnes and St Helens in the 1950s and 1960s. Vince died from cancer in 2008.
This was the first run out the players had had in the 2010 campaign after the Vikings pre-season preparations were hampered by severe weather conditions, dubbed the Big Freeze
Winter of 2009–2010 in the United Kingdom
The winter of 2009–2010 in the United Kingdom was a meteorological event that started on 16 December 2009, as part of the severe winter weather in Europe. January 2010 was provisionally the coldest January since 1987 across the country...
by the media. Severe snowfall had resulted in unplayable conditions with caused both the Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
and Blackpool Panthers
Blackpool Panthers
Blackpool & The Fylde Panthers RLFC was an English professional rugby league club based in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. They played at Woodlands Memorial Ground owned by Fylde rugby union club...
games to be cancelled. For many of the Vikings players this was the first time they had played in months and was a chance to try to cement their place in the starting line up for the upcoming Co-operative Championship season.
Saint's arrived at the Stobart Stadium with plenty of players who are expecting to see first team action in this years Super League
Super League XV
The 2010 Super League season was the fifteenth season of rugby league football since the Super League format was introduced in 1996. Fourteen teams competed for the League Leader's Shield over 27 rounds . All clubs also participated in the 2010 Challenge Cup tournament...
campaign, with Saints imposing an early 22 point lead after four unanswered tries from Gary Wheeler
Gary Wheeler
Gary Wheeler born 30 September 1989 in England is a rugby league player for St. Helens in the engage Super League.Gary Wheeler's position of choice is as a stand-off, but has currently played most of his senior rugby at centre....
, Jamie Foster
Jamie Foster (rugby league)
James "Jamie" Foster is a professional rugby league player who plays for St Helens in the European Super League. His position of preference is in the centre but he has been known to convert to the wings and fullback...
, Sia Soliola
Iosia Soliola
Iosia Soliola is a New Zealand international rugby league player currently playing for the St. Helens in the Super League. He is of Samoan descent.-Playing career:...
and Bryn Hargreaves
Bryn Hargreaves
Bryn Hargreaves is an English rugby league player with Super League team Bradford Bulls .Bryn Hargreaves played prop forward in the Wigan Academy since 2002. He made his first team debut from the subs' bench against Salford City Reds in July 2004 and his full debut against London Broncos in...
and 3 conversions from Jamie Foster
Jamie Foster (rugby league)
James "Jamie" Foster is a professional rugby league player who plays for St Helens in the European Super League. His position of preference is in the centre but he has been known to convert to the wings and fullback...
.
Widnes who chose to wear their new 2010 away strip for the clash soon broke through the St Helens defence with two tries from Dean Thompson who was thrust into the starting line up after Toa Kohe-Love
Toa Kohe-Love
Toa Kohe-Love is a professional rugby league player. Kohe-Love currently plays for the Widnes Vikings in the National League One. Kohe-Love represented Aotearoa Māori at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup...
pulled a ham string during the pre-game warm up. Shane Grady followed up with successful conversions to add the extras to make it 22-12.
Tom Armstrong
Tom Armstrong (rugby league)
Thomas "Tom" Armstrong is a professional Rugby League footballer who currently plays for St. Helens. He wears the number 26 jersey and signed for the club from amateur side Pilkington Recs. Armstrong is primarily a centre but can comfortably deputise on the wings and the back row...
increased the St Helens lead before a superb 80 metre inter-passing run between Anthony Thackeray
Anthony Thackeray
Anthony Thackeray born 19 February 1986 in Hull, Yorkshire, England is a rugby league player for the Widnes Vikings.Anthony Thackeray's position of choice is as a scrum-half or stand-off.-External links:*...
and Danny Hulme with Thackeray going in for the points to score the final try of the half.
The Vikings were first off the mark in the second half with a try from Matt Strong who went in over the line from close range as he made the most of his opportunity following a fumble on possession from the Saints.
Saints followed up with tries from Gary Wheeler
Gary Wheeler
Gary Wheeler born 30 September 1989 in England is a rugby league player for St. Helens in the engage Super League.Gary Wheeler's position of choice is as a stand-off, but has currently played most of his senior rugby at centre....
and dual registered Chris Dean
Chris Dean
Christopher David Dean born 17 January 1988 in Higher End, Wigan, Greater Manchester, is a rugby league player for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the engage Super League. Dean's position of choice is as in the but he can also operate as a or on the . Chris signed for St. Helens aged 15 from the...
.
The Saints lead was quickly closed as Matt Gardner went in for another Widnes try, but this was too little too late as the Saints held out a 10 point lead before Jamie Ellis
Jamie Ellis
trophies won Northern Rail Cup 2011Jamie Ellis is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for Leigh Centurions. Signing for St. Helens as a youngster from amateur team Chorley Panthers, Ellis is a scrum-half.-St Helens career:...
finished off the Vikings with another St Helens try.
After the game Saints Head coach Mick Potter
Michael Potter
Michael "Mick" Potter is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently coaching English Super League club Bradford Bulls. Potter played in the Australian club competition for the Canterbury Bulldogs, St...
was full of admiration for the Vikings. He said: "I think Widnes have got some real players in there who can really make a impact on the Championship next season. From what I seen out there James Webster could still play Super League and with Mark Smith leading them around the park they have a leader. The forwards are pretty solid too, so I think Widnes look in decent shape ahead of the season."
Vikings Head coach Paul Cullen
Paul Cullen (rugby league)
Paul Cullen is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Widnes Vikings of the Co-operative Championship. Cullen previously coached the Warrington Wolves as well as the England national team...
was also impressed with the Vikings performance. He said: "I was very happy with what I saw out there. The main thing was the players got some quality game time and got out on the pitch. The likes of Dean Thompson has come in for Toa Kohe-Love on the last minute and he has gone over for two tries and he took them well. Shane Grady has also done well."
Round 4: vs. Carcassonne
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the French club, CarcassonneAS Carcassonne
AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups...
and Widnes organised this pre-season friendly in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The match against Carcassonne, the club with best historical record in France, was well attended with more than 800 spectators.
The Vikings had a pre-season friendly lined up against Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
the following day, taking this into account Widnes sent a combination of players from the academy and the reserve side with players ranging from sixteen to twenty one years of age.
This was the first time that the vast majority of the young squad had experienced open age rugby against a Carcassonne consisting seasoned professionals. Two minutes in Widnes lost full back Dave Kennedy, one of our more experienced players, through injury. Kennedy was replaced by Dave Dourley. The young Vikings side stood up well against a vastly more experienced team who were match fit being in the middle of their season. After 8 minutes a towering kick from Danny Craven was pounced on by Mark Briodie to score the opening try of the match, with Craven converting for the extra points.
The Carcassonne forwards were not making much progress but had a good kicking game. Widnes gave away a few penalties early on but were otherwise faultless in defence. A 40-20 by Dave Dourley set up a scrum out on the right and from the scrum good work by Gregg Scott and Tom Rigby sent Chris Moogan over after 23 mins.
The Vikings were penalised for a knock on shortly after the kick off and Carcassonne made the most of the opportunity and after good work from Andreas Bauer went over wide right on 27 mins. Substitutions were coming thick and fast and the French side's half backs came into fruition. A good handling move resulted in a try under the posts after 32 mins. Carcassonne converted making it 10 – 10 at the halftime interval.
The first set of the second half resulted in a try for Adam Lawton but the conversion was missed by Craven. Carcassonne began to make the most of their possession and on 47 mins juggled the ball over the line to score out wide on the left but failed to make the conversion.
The Vikings were penalised for another knock on, which gave Carcassonne the ball close to the Widnes line. Carcassonne again made the most of the opportunity and scored in the corner. This was followed up by a successful conversion to lead 20 - 14.
Widnes’ lack of match fitness was beginning to show, the Vikings made a few breaks but could not capitalise. Carcassonne kept the ball alive on their possession and their prop crashed over for another try and kicked the conversion to take the lead 26 - 14.
Widnes had chances but were giving up possession too easily. The scoring was completed after 67 mins when another good passing move resulted in a Carcassonne try. The conversion was successful give Carcassonne a 32 - 14 lead which they held onto until the end of the match.
Round 5: vs. Salford
Widnes suffered another setback in the pre-season preparations after losing 36-0 to Salford City RedsSalford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
at the Stobart Stadium Halton
Halton Stadium
The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves...
. Salford fielded their strongest possible side for the friendly match in preparation for the upcoming Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
season. Amongst the Salford line-up were three former Vikings players Karl Fitzpatrick
Karl Fitzpatrick
Karl Fitzpatrick is a rugby league full back who currently plays for the Salford City Reds rugby league team.-Playing career:Fitzpatrick was originally a scrum half before he switched to full back. He is a product of Wigan St Pats...
, Stephen Tyrer
Steve Tyrer
Stephen Tyrer is a rugby league footballer who plays for the Widnes Vikings in the Championship he previously played for Salford City Reds in the Super League. Tyrer is a goal kicking centre or winger....
and Adam Sidlow
Adam Sidlow
Adam Sidlow is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for Salford City Reds in the Super League. He is primarily a prop but can also play as a second-row. He signed for the Reds from Widnes Vikings. Sidlow made his Super League début in Super League XIV. He went on to make...
, who scored five tries between them.
This is the second time in a week that the Vikings have faced a Super League side after they were defeated last Tuesday (19 January 2010) by St. Helens. Widnes were missing seven senior first team players from the starting line-up, and the younger, inexperienced Vikings side could not cope with the pressure from the Super League side.
Widnes had a few moments early on but a tight Salford defence was able to shut them out. The game lacked any real excitement and was very much a stop start affair, with referee James Child
James Child
-Referee career:James started refereeing at the age of 11 years as a member of the Dewsbury & Batley Rugby League Referees' Society. Since then he has enjoyed many notable successes, particularly as a touch judge having officiated at the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Challenge Cup Finals, the 2007 and 2008...
taking centre stage after interrupting the game 27 times for penalties. The referee was also the centre of a controversial decision when he dismissed Tommy Coyle and Karl Fitzpatrick
Karl Fitzpatrick
Karl Fitzpatrick is a rugby league full back who currently plays for the Salford City Reds rugby league team.-Playing career:Fitzpatrick was originally a scrum half before he switched to full back. He is a product of Wigan St Pats...
after Fitzpatrick struck Coyle after the hooker had delivered a loose high tackle which Widnes Head Coach Paul Cullen said wasn't a sending off offence. Fitzpatrick was then involved in a further incident when he threw his sports drink into a section of Widnes supporters before heading down the tunnel to the dressing room. As a result of the red card Fitzpatrick could miss the start of the Super League season through suspension.
Salford put points on the board early on after Fitzpatrick went over the line after only two minutes of play and again a few moments later for his second. Salford continued the scoring with tries from Steve Tyrer and Ashley Gibson
Ashley Gibson
Ashley Gibson is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for Salford City Reds of Super League, having previously played for Leeds Rhinos. He is primarily a wing but can also play at centre. He is also known to kick goals. He played only 29 times for Leeds over four years,...
. Salford took a sixteen point lead into the break and added another twenty points in the second half with tries from Steve Tyrer, Adam Sidlow, Jodie Broughton
Jodie Broughton
Jodie Broughton is a rugby league player for Salford City Reds in the European Super League. He plays as a centre or wing. He is the half-brother of former Leeds teammate Jamie Jones-Buchanan and is considered by many to be the fastest player in the competition. In 2011, Broughton was named...
and Luke Adamson
Luke Adamson
Luke Adamson is a rugby league player for the Salford City Reds in Super League. He plays in the second-row.A powerful young forward tipped for a very big future in the professional game...
. Stefan Ratchford
Stefan Ratchford
Stefan Ratchford is an English-Serbian rugby league player for the Salford City Reds in the Super League. He is seen as a utility, having played in the halves and on the wing...
added the extra points with two successful conversions.
Vikings head coach Paul Cullen can take some comfort in knowing that this is a new squad and he won’t be facing Super League opposition week in week out this season, he said: We won't be playing that calibre of opposition every week. Today was all about using this match to try to toughen ourselves up and if that’s all we’ve got out of it, so be it. Salford were very good and you have to take into account the opposition here and that they are in Super League. We had a number of key players missing, but it's a trial game and the real work starts next week.”
Karl Fitzpatrick issued a public apology the following day to the Widnes supports for his conduct as he left the field after his red card. Fitzpatrick offered to personally meet and apologise to any Vikings supporters that were affected by his actions. Director of Football for Salford Steve Simms said: “Karl was shook up by our version of events and he has no recollection of any of it. The blow to the head has knocked the sense out of him. However, none of this condones what happened out there, for which Karl and the Club are deeply apologetic”.
National League Cup
The Widnes Vikings are competing in National League CupNational League Cup
The Championship Cup, known as the Northern Rail Cup due to sponsorship by Northern Rail, is a rugby league football competition for clubs in the United Kingdom's Championship and Championship 1 leagues, formerly known as the Rugby League National Leagues...
, known as the Northern Rail Cup for sponsorship reasons. This is a competition for clubs in the Co-operative Championship and Championship One. The exception to this is Toulouse Olympique
Toulouse Olympique
Toulouse Olympique are a French professional rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. They were founded on 22 October, in 1937 two years after the founding of the French Rugby League Federation. Between 1995 and 2002 the club were known as Spacers de Toulouse, due to links with...
, who do not participate in the cup at present.
| Round | Date | Kickoff (GMT) | Home/Away | Opponent | Result | Score | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 02/02/2010 | 20:00 | H | Gateshead Thunder Gateshead Thunder Gateshead Thunder is a professional rugby league club based in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear in England. They currently play in the Championship 1 competition, the third tier of rugby league in the United Kingdom... |
W | 50 - 6 | Stobart Stadium Halton Halton Stadium The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves... |
2,200 |
| 2 | 07/02/2010 | 14:00 | A | Batley Bulldogs Batley Bulldogs Batley Bulldogs are an English professional rugby league club from Batley, West Yorkshire. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895... |
D | 30 - 30 | Mount Pleasant Mount Pleasant, Batley Mount Pleasant is a rugby league stadium in Batley, West Yorkshire, England. It is the home of Batley RLFC.Renowned for its famous slope, Mount Pleasant is situated at the top of the hill that overlooks the town of Batley. The end of the ground at the top of the hill is surrounded by three... |
1,004 |
| 3 | 14/02/2010 | 15:00 | H | Barrow Raiders Barrow Raiders Barrow Raiders are an English professional rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, who are coached by Dave Clark. Formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club, the club is the oldest of the current professional sports teams in Cumbria.... |
W | 22 - 20 | Stobart Stadium Halton Halton Stadium The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves... |
3,432 |
| 4 | 21/02/2010 | 15:00 | A | Swinton Lions Swinton Lions Swinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:... |
W | 12 - 36 | Park Lane Park Lane (stadium) Park Lane is a rugby stadium in Whitefield near Bury, England. It is the home of Sedgley Park R.U.F.C. and, from 2003–10 Swinton rugby league club.... |
816 |
Round 1: vs. Gateshead
After a disappointing pre-season, the Vikings kicked off the start to their regular season schedule with an impressive 50 - 6 win over Gateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder is a professional rugby league club based in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear in England. They currently play in the Championship 1 competition, the third tier of rugby league in the United Kingdom...
in the Northern Rail Cup.
The Vikings are current Northern Rail Cup defending champions after winning the competition last year. The victory last year gave the Vikings the so called "tick in the box" for a Super League licence
2012–14 Super League licences
The 2012–14 Super League licences were awarded following the second round of licensing for the Super League rugby league competition. Successful applicants were given a three-year licence to compete in Super League, the premier rugby league competition in Europe.-Application...
, but Vikings Skipper Mark Smith
Mark Smith (rugby league)
Mark Smith, is an English professional rugby league footballer who has just been signed by Swinton after captaining Widnes in National League One. Primarily a hooker, he previously played in Super League for the Wigan, with whom he won the 2002 Challenge Cup.Smith has been captain of the Widnes...
admits the team are still hungry for success and want to make opening statement of their intent not to the trophy go. He said:- "It means a lot to be defending the trophy, we’ve got the tick but it’s no different. We want to defend it and win it. People used to call it the Mickey Mouse Cup but I’ll tell you something, every cat and his dog wants to win it now to get the tick in the box."
After a disappointing defeat to Super League Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
in a friendly match a week earlier, Vikings fans were expecting a better result against Co-Operative Championship 1
Championship 1
Championship 1, known as The Co-operative Championship 1 due to sponsorship by The Co-operative Group, is a rugby league competition based in the United Kingdom. It acts as the country's third-tier competition behind the Championship, with which it has a system of promotion and relegation. It is...
Gateshead. Speaking on Gateshead, Assistant Coach Stuart Wilkinson
Stuart Wilkinson (rugby league)
Stuart Wilkinson from in Ulverston is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player from Barrow in Cumbria. He is currently the Elite Coach Mentor for the French Rugby League and assistant coach for the Widnes Vikings of the Co-operative Championship...
said:- "I thought they were very good and I won’t be surprised if they do well again this year. I like the enterprising and exciting way they play. We’ve got a lot of respect for them but at this time our focus will mainly be on ourselves and what we can do better."
Paddy Flynn, Gareth Haggerty
Gareth Haggerty
Gareth Haggerty is an Irish international rugby league player. He plays for the Widnes Vikings in the Co-operative Championship. He previously played for Harlequins RL, St Helens, and Salford City Reds all of whom he play in the European Super League.Haggerty's usual position is prop-forward...
, Toa Kohe-Love
Toa Kohe-Love
Toa Kohe-Love is a professional rugby league player. Kohe-Love currently plays for the Widnes Vikings in the National League One. Kohe-Love represented Aotearoa Māori at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup...
and Richard Varkulis
Richard Varkulis
Richard Varkulis is a rugby league player currently contracted to Whitehaven RLFC.Richard signed for Championship One team Whitehaven RLFC for the 2012 season following three successful years at Widnes Vikings....
were all missing from the Vikings line-up as they are all struggle to be fit after picking up injuries during pre-season.
The Vikings opened the scoring after only four minutes with a try from Anthony Thackeray
Anthony Thackeray
Anthony Thackeray born 19 February 1986 in Hull, Yorkshire, England is a rugby league player for the Widnes Vikings.Anthony Thackeray's position of choice is as a scrum-half or stand-off.-External links:*...
. New signing James Ford
James Ford
James Ford may refer to:*James A. Ford, American archaeologist*James Ford , benefactor of the Ford Lectures at Oxford University*James Ford , cricketer*James Ford , American newsreader and journalist for WPIX...
, who is making his first competitive debut for Widnes, scored two tries in quick session minutes later.
Steve Pickersgill
Steve Pickersgill
Steve Pickersgill born 28 November 1985 in Warrington, Cheshire, England is a rugby league player for Warrington Wolves in the European Super League.Steve Pickersgill's position of choice is as a prop and he can play in the second-row.-External links:*...
put himself in contention for try of the night after following up his own grubber kick to score under the posts. Scott Yates added the extra's from the conversion.
Another try followed from Matt Gardner and it quickly became obvious the Vikings would be far too strong Gateshead, after James Ford sealed of an impressive first half performance by completing his hatrick on 27 minutes.
Dual registered Chris Dean
Chris Dean
Christopher David Dean born 17 January 1988 in Higher End, Wigan, Greater Manchester, is a rugby league player for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the engage Super League. Dean's position of choice is as in the but he can also operate as a or on the . Chris signed for St. Helens aged 15 from the...
, who made his second Widnes appearance after returning from St. Helens went over 4 minutes later. Shane Grady completed the first half scoring with a try over in the left hand corner, to give the Vikings a 34 - 0 lead going in at the half time break.
It took only 8 minutes after the break for James Ford to bag his fourth try of the night. Shane Grady added the extra's for the Conversion.
Gateshead held out well and it took the Vikings a further 20 minutes before Chris Dean crossed the line for his second try of the night.
Gateshead scored a consolation try 8 minutes from time after Robin Peers pounced on a fumble by Anthony Thackeray
Anthony Thackeray
Anthony Thackeray born 19 February 1986 in Hull, Yorkshire, England is a rugby league player for the Widnes Vikings.Anthony Thackeray's position of choice is as a scrum-half or stand-off.-External links:*...
in front of the goal line. Peers also added the extra's from the conversion.
Widnes were not finished yet and Dave Allen scored the final try of the night with 5 minutes left. Shane Grady added the extra's.
Vikings Head coach Paul Cullen
Paul Cullen (rugby league)
Paul Cullen is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Widnes Vikings of the Co-operative Championship. Cullen previously coached the Warrington Wolves as well as the England national team...
was watching from the sidelines, after watching the pre-season games from the stands whilst on compassionate leave, said:- "It was just good to get on the field . It was a bit disappointing that we were 34-0 up at half time and we didn't cross for a few more scores in the second half. But we can't kid ourselves - at 34-0 the game is done and dusted and we have to back ourselves up with another game at Batley on Sunday".
Round 2: vs. Batley
Shane Grady kept a cool head to seal a 30-30 draw for the Vikings as he kicked a conversion, two minutes from time in the Northern Rail Cup
National League Cup
The Championship Cup, known as the Northern Rail Cup due to sponsorship by Northern Rail, is a rugby league football competition for clubs in the United Kingdom's Championship and Championship 1 leagues, formerly known as the Rugby League National Leagues...
group game at Batley Bulldogs
Batley Bulldogs
Batley Bulldogs are an English professional rugby league club from Batley, West Yorkshire. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895...
. The Kicking game has been a concern for the Vikings at the start of the season, but Grady kept a cool head as he slotted the conversion from a difficult angle out wide.
Assistant coach Stuart Wilkinson insisted before the game that Widnes still have room for improvement, despite hammering Gateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder is a professional rugby league club based in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear in England. They currently play in the Championship 1 competition, the third tier of rugby league in the United Kingdom...
50-6 only 5 days earlier. Wilkinson said: "We’re still not where we want to be. There are things that we’ve improved on but there are other things that we need to focus on over the next couple of weeks."
The Vikings were without Thomas Coyle after his appeal against a one-match ban was unsuccessful. Coyle was sent off for a high tackle during the friendly game against Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
on 24 January. The Appeals committee felt the tackle was careless and ruled that as this was not the first time the player’s tackling technique had been highlighted, the suspension should be upheld. The Vikings gave debuts to their new dual signing and loan captures Shaun Ainscough
Shaun Ainscough
Shaun Ainscough is an English professional rugby league footballer, currently playing for the Bradford Bulls of the Super League.His preferred position is on the wing...
who started on the wing, and forwards Ben Davies and Liam Farrell started on the bench.
Batley, who were playing up the hill in the first half, opened the scoring on 9 minutes with a try from Lee Greenwood
Lee Greenwood (rugby league)
Lee Greenwood born 28 September 1980 is a rugby league player for Halifax in National League One. He plays on the wing.-External links:***...
after he chased down an attacking kick into the corner. Gareth Moore added the extras. It took the Vikings only 4 minutes to respond, after Lee Doran
Lee Doran
Lee Doran, born 23 December 1981 is an English rugby league player.Lee Doran plays for the Widnes Vikings in National League One. He is also eligible to play for Ireland.Doran's position of choice is as a second-row....
went over for a try on 13 minutes, with Shane Grady adding the extra's to tie the game 6-6.
On 19 minutes John Campbell controversially bounced over the line after he appeared to be tackled. Widnes players and the fans behind the goal shouted for a double-movement, but referee Gareth Hewer blew the whistle for the try. Gareth Moore added the extras to give the Bulldogs a 12-6 lead.
There was nothing wrong with Batley's next try though as James Martin
James Martin (rugby league)
James Luke Martin is an English rugby league player formerly with the Huddersfield Giants. It was announced in July 2007 that James will become a full-time member of the Giants' Super League squad for the 2008 season. Alongside his rugby career, James studies at Leeds University...
ploughed through the line to score on 28 minutes. Gareth Moore added the extras.
Just before half time the Bulldogs bit again with a second try from Lee Greenwood on 37 minutes. Gareth Moore added the extra's to make it 24-16 to the Batley at half time.
Widnes came out strong in the second half and opened the scoring on 39 minutes with a try from Ben Kavanagh. Shane Grady added the extras.
The Bulldogs edged further ahead after poor defending allowed Lee Greenwood to kick deep and evade the Vikings defence, before heading downfield. Greenwood kicked ahead again, and John Campbell won the race for Batley to score on 46 minutes. Gareth Moore made the conversion to give the Bulldogs a 30-16 lead.
Widnes kept their heads up and a well placed kick into the corner from Anthony Thackeray
Anthony Thackeray
Anthony Thackeray born 19 February 1986 in Hull, Yorkshire, England is a rugby league player for the Widnes Vikings.Anthony Thackeray's position of choice is as a scrum-half or stand-off.-External links:*...
was pounced on by dual registered Shaun Ainscough, to put the Vikings right back into the game on 53 minutes with a well taken try. Shane Grady missed the conversion.
Thackeray turned from hero to villain 7 minutes later, when he was dismissed to the Sin Bin on 60 minutes after Thackeray reacted to John Campbell grabbing him as they came out of the tackle and pushed Campbell over as he stood back up. Referee consulted the touch judge and shown Thackeray the yellow card. After the game Thackeray said: "I’ve never been sent off the field in my life as I’m not really like that, but he did grab me and that’s why I reacted. I was gutted and felt like I’d let the lads down."
The Vikings who were a man down due to Thackeray's sin bin offence were still able to plough through for a try when Shaun Ainscough went over for his second on 68 minutes. Shane Grady added the extra's to make it 30 - 24.
With time running out, Thackeray was again the centre of the action when he returned from his stint in the sin bin, Thackeray was able to slice his way his way through a tire Batley defence to score a try on 75 minutes. Grady who had seen three of five kicks miss the target kept a cool head and kicked the conversion to make it 30 - 30.
Paul Handforth lined up for a 79th minute drop goal for Batley but his kick missed and Widnes were able to regain possession. The final hooter sounded and it finished 30 - 30.
Round 3: vs. Barrow
A try from Shaun Ainscough
Shaun Ainscough
Shaun Ainscough is an English professional rugby league footballer, currently playing for the Bradford Bulls of the Super League.His preferred position is on the wing...
in the dying seconds of the Northern Rail Cup
National League Cup
The Championship Cup, known as the Northern Rail Cup due to sponsorship by Northern Rail, is a rugby league football competition for clubs in the United Kingdom's Championship and Championship 1 leagues, formerly known as the Rugby League National Leagues...
match against Barrow Raiders
Barrow Raiders
Barrow Raiders are an English professional rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, who are coached by Dave Clark. Formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club, the club is the oldest of the current professional sports teams in Cumbria....
secured a victory for the Vikings over their Co-Operative Championship rivals.
In the first half Barrow opened up the scoring on 12 minutes through a James Nixon
James Nixon
James Nixon , is a Scottish rugby league player for Barrow in the Co-operative Championship. He plays on the wing. He is a current Scotland international.-External links:*...
try. Jamie Rooney
Jamie Rooney
Jamie Rooney is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Barrow Raiders in the Championship. He is also a former England international, being an integral part of the 2006 Federation Shield winning side. Rooney is equally at home in both the stand-off and scrum half positions...
converted the extra's. Widnes were soon level Liam Farrell went over on 21 minutes after some excellent build up play from James Webster and Anthony Thackeray. Shane Grady added the extra's to make it 6-6.
The Vikings failed to recover the kick off and Barrow punished them for the mistake with a try from Liam Harrison on 25 minutes. Jamie Rooney converted the extra points to make it 6-12 to Barrow.
Barrow continued to put the pressure on Widnes and Nathan Mossop scored for Barrow on 29 minutes. Rooney missed the conversion, but was on target 8 minutes later when Barrow opted to kick a penalty. Rooney put the penalty kick between the uprights on 37 minutes to give Barrow a 6 - 18 lead at the end of the first half.
Jamie Rooney opened up scoring in the second half for Barrow, when Barrow opted for a penalty kick on 60 minutes, giving barrow a 6 - 20 lead.
The game was looking beyond the Vikings until Dave Houghton ploughed through the Barrow line after spinning out of a tackle to score a try on 61 minutes. Shane Grady converted the extra points to make it 12 - 20.
Both sides were reduced to 12 men in the 73rd minute when Ben Kavanagh was shown the red car for a high tackle on Rob Roberts
Rob Roberts
Rob Roberts is a rugby league player for the Oldham Roughyeds in National League Two. He plays , , or /...
, Roberts threw a punch in retaliation and was shown the yellow card and sent to the sin-bin.
Thomas Coyle began the Widnes fight back by powering his way over the line from the scrum to score a try on 77 minutes. Shane Grady added the extra's to make it 18 - 20.
From the kick off Widnes threw everything they had at a tired looking Barrow side. Quick hands down the right handside from Mark Smith
Mark Smith
Mark Smith may refer to:*Mark A. Smith, professor of pathology at Case Western Reserve University*Mark S. Smith, American biblical scholar, professor at NYU*Mark Smith , designer of radio-controlled model airplanes...
and Toa Kohe-Love
Toa Kohe-Love
Toa Kohe-Love is a professional rugby league player. Kohe-Love currently plays for the Widnes Vikings in the National League One. Kohe-Love represented Aotearoa Māori at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup...
set up Shaun Ainscough to score the final try of the match on 79 minutes. The Barrow players slumped on the ground as the hooter sounded to signal the end of the match whilst the Vikings were still celebrating. Grady missed the conversion and it finished Widnes 22 & Barrow 20.
This was the first visit to the Stobart Stadium Halton
Halton Stadium
The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves...
for former Vikings, and current Barrow Head Coach Steve McCormack
Steve McCormack
Steve McCormack is the former head coach of National League One club Widnes. He is currently head coach of Scotland RL and SwintonHis first coaching appointment had been at Salford, who made him the youngest coach in Super League at the age of just 28 in 2001 but was sacked just 10 months later.He...
since he left the Vikings. Speaking after the game McCormack said: "Credit to Widnes with the way they stuck at it and kept going at the end. Widnes put us under a lot of pressure in the second half and it paid off for them."
Vikings head coach Paul Cullen
Paul Cullen (rugby league)
Paul Cullen is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Widnes Vikings of the Co-operative Championship. Cullen previously coached the Warrington Wolves as well as the England national team...
said: "It really was a massive effort. To give a side as good as Barrow that much ball and defend as well as we did gives us great hope for the future. "Considering we lost four players hours before the kick-off (through injury), and then to win the game when we were down to 12 men is testimony to the side's fitness and character."
Round 4: vs. Swinton
Widnes only needed one bonus point from the game against Swinton Lions
Swinton Lions
Swinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:...
to qualify for the quarter finals of the Northern Rail Cup, However, the Vikings secured all three points after they defeated Swinton 36-12 in front of 816 spectators who braved the elements of hail, snow and sleet at Park Lane.
Swinton put the first points on the board with a try on 4 minutes from Richie Hawkyard. Former Vikings man Gavin Dodd added the extras for Swinton to gave them an early 6 - 0 lead.
Widnes struck back six minutes later when Toa Kohe-Love showed good strength to force his way over for a try on 10 mins. Shane Grady missed the conversion.
Grady made amends three minutes later after he latched onto a long pass from Mark Smith to make a powerful break downfield before a short inside pass to send Matt Gardner in for a try on 12 minutes. Grady converted the extras to give Widnes a 10-6 lead.
Dodd brought things level on 19 minutes with a try in the corner, however he missed the conversion to add the extras.
The Vikings pulled further ahead through Shane Grady when he went over for a try on 22 minutes. His conversion attempt from the touchline struck the post and stayed out and it was 14 - 10 to the Vikings.
Gavin Dodd pulled another two points back for Swinton after he converted a penalty kick on 31 minutes to make it 14 - 12.
The Vikings stretched their lead on 39 minutes after Shaun Ainscough chased a kick downfield, his opposite number Rob Foxen collected the kick but ainsouch was quick to react and stole the ball from Foxen and ran it in for a try. Grady added the extra's to give Widnes a 20 - 12 lead at half time.
The conditions were difficult for the players in the second half as the weather go worse, if it were not for the slippy ball and surface there could have been more tries in the second half. Toa Kohe-Love went over on 52 mins with Shane Grady adding the extra's to give Widnes a 26 - 12 lead.
Widnes struck again on 53 minutes after a powerful break up midfield from Gareth Haggerty who released the ball inside for Mark Smith to dash 45 metres to score under the posts. Grady added the extra's to make it 32 - 12.
Anthony Thackeray went over for Widnes on 72 minutes to score the final try of the match. Grady missed the extra's and the game finished 32 - 12 to Widnes.
Challenge Cup
The 2010 Challenge Cup (officially known as the 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) is a knockoutSingle-elimination tournament
A single-elimination tournament, also called a knockout, cup or sudden death tournament, is a type of elimination tournament where the loser of each match or bracket is immediately eliminated from winning the championship or first prize in the event...
rugby league tournament which began its preliminary stages in January.
The Challenge Cup is the most competitive European rugby league tournament at club level and is open to teams from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
The final of the Challenge Cup is one of the most prestigious matches in world rugby league, and is traditionally held at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Despite London not being an area traditionally associated with rugby league, the final receives a lot of mainstream media coverage and is broadcast to many different countries around the world.
Super League side Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
are the reigning champions, following their 16–25 victory over Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
in the 2009 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on 29 August 2009.
Widnes Vikings joined the 2010 Challenge Cup in the third round and were drawn against amateur side Wigan St Judes.
| Round | Date | Kickoff (GMT) | Home/Away | Opponent | Result | Score | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 09/03/2010 | 19:30 | H | Wigan St Judes | W | 64 - 12 | Stobart Stadium Halton Halton Stadium The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves... |
1,622 |
Round 3: vs. Wigan St Judes
The Vikings sailed through into the fourth round of the Challenge Cup after a comfortable 64 - 12 win over amateur club Wigan St Judes.
The match was originally due to take place on Sunday 7 March at 15:00 GMT, but was cancelled due to a frozen pitch. The match was re-scheduled for 9 March at 19:30 GMT.
St Judes got off to a dream start when Lee Maiden broke away and went over to score a try on 7 minutes. Dave Tickton kicked the conversion to make it 0 - 6 to the visitors.
Widnes hit back 5 minutes later with a try from Dave Allen on 12 minutes. Shane Grady missed the conversion to make it 4 - 6.
The Vikings assault continued with two tries in quick succession on 21 & 22 minutes from Lee Doran and Anthony Thackeray. With Shane Grady converting both kicks made it 16 - 6 to the Vikings.
Lee Doran showed his pace as he ran 50 meters up field to give Widnes good field position. St Judes were unable to hold out and Scott Yates scored a try on 27 minutes to make it 20 - 6. Shane Grady missed the conversion.
The Vikings scored their fifth try of the half on 31 minutes when Dave Houghton went over the line. Shane Grady kicked the conversion to give the Vikings a comfortable 26 - 6 lead at half time.
It only took 1 minute of the second half for Widnes to put points on the board. Shane Grady showed excellent movement to score a try on 41 minutes, but he was unable to make the conversion. Widnes lead 30 - 6.
St Judes were determined to give their loyal travelling support something to shout about. Quick feet from Darley King enabled him to break away and score St Judes second try of the night on 45 minutes. Dave Picton was on target again as he kicked the conversion to make it 30 - 12.
Richard Varkulis and Danny Hulme scored a series of four tries between them within a 20 minute period. Danny Hulme began the onslaught with a try on 48 minutes. Shane Grady added the extra points.
Richard Varkulis scored went over for a Widnes try seven minutes later on 48 minutes. Shane Grady added the extras.
The impressive youngster Danny Hulme got his second try of the night on 59 minutes. Shane Grady completed the conversion.
Varkulis completed the 20 minute onslaught with a try on 68 minutes. Shane Grady missed the conversion but the Vikings lead 52 - 12.
Dave Allen became the third Widnes player of the night to score a double try, when he went scored on 72 minutes. Shane Grady added the extras.
Thomas Coyle finished things off four minutes from time when he scored on 76 minutes. Grady was again on target to kick his eight conversion of the night. Widnes finished the game 64 - 12.
Championship
The Widnes Vikings are competing in the 2010 Co-operative Championship. The Co-Operative Championship is a semi-professional rugby league football competition played in the United Kingdom and France, one tier below the first tier Super LeagueSuper League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
.
The two worst performing teams during the season, with the exception of Toulouse Olympique
Toulouse Olympique
Toulouse Olympique are a French professional rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. They were founded on 22 October, in 1937 two years after the founding of the French Rugby League Federation. Between 1995 and 2002 the club were known as Spacers de Toulouse, due to links with...
, will be relegated to Championship 1. There is no automatic promotion from this league to Super League, which uses a licensing system which renewed every three years. Qualifying for the Grand Final is a prerequisite for Championship clubs to be able to apply for license in the next round of applications for the 2012–14 period
2012–14 Super League licences
The 2012–14 Super League licences were awarded following the second round of licensing for the Super League rugby league competition. Successful applicants were given a three-year licence to compete in Super League, the premier rugby league competition in Europe.-Application...
.
The 2010 Co-Operative Championship season will consist of two stages. The regular season is played over 22 round-robin
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
fixtures, in which each of the eleven teams involved in the competition will play each other once at home
Home (sports)
In sports, home is a term referring to both the city and stadium, arena, or field where an athletic team plays games at their venue, whilst when the team plays elsewhere then they are considered the away team. The home term can refer to either the sponsoring institution or the place where it is...
and once away
Road (sports)
Road game , more commonly known as an away game, is a reference to all cities and stadia/arenas/fields/venues where an athletic team plays games for which it is not the host. Most professional teams represent cities or towns and amateur sports teams often represent academic institutions...
. In the 2010 Co-Operative Championship, a win is worth three points in the table, a draw is worth one two points apiece, and a loss by 12 points or fewer is worth 1 bonus point.
The league leaders at the end of the regular season will receive the league leaders trophy, but the Championship is decided through the second stage of the season via a playoffs system. The top six teams in the table will contest to play in the Grand Final, the winners of which are crowned 2010 Co-Operative Champions.
| Round | Date | Kickoff (GMT) | Home/Away | Opponent | Result | Score | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28/02/2010 | 15:00 | H | Keighley Cougars Keighley Cougars Keighley Cougars are a professional rugby league club from Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. As of 2012 they will play in Co-operative Championship having won the Co-operative Championship 1 play off final 32-12 against Workington... |
W | 72 - 10 | Stobart Stadium Halton | 2,777 |
| 2 | 14/03/2010 | 15:00 | A | Sheffield Eagles Sheffield Eagles Sheffield Eagles RLFC are an English rugby league club based in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Their home games are played at Bramall Lane after leaving Don Valley Stadium in late 2009.... |
W | 30 - 44 | Don Valley Stadium Don Valley Stadium The Don Valley Stadium is a stadium in Sheffield, England and is the home of Rotherham United F.C.. The stadium is an athletics stadium which has hosted major UK Athletic events and the 1991 World Student Games. Sheffield Eagles RLFC and Parramore Sports FC also use the stadium. It was designed by... |
1,085 |
| 3 | 18/03/2010 | 19:30 | H | Halifax Halifax RLFC Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town... |
L | 28 - 30 | Stobart Stadium Halton | 3,686 |
| 4 | 28/03/2010 | 15:00 | A | Dewsbury Rams Dewsbury Rams Dewsbury Rams RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. They are arguably most famous for becoming Champions in 1972-73 after finishing the regular season in 8th place. In the playoffs they beat Featherstone away, Warrington away, and then Leeds in the... |
W | 30 - 36 | Tetley's Stadium Crown Flatt Crown Flatt, known as the Tetley's Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is a rugby league stadium on Owl Lane in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England. It is the home of Dewsbury rugby league club... |
1,499 |
| 5 | Bye Round Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing... |
|||||||
| 6 | 05/04/2010 | 15:00 | H | Whitehaven Whitehaven RLFC Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground... |
W | 48 - 18 | Stobart Stadium Halton | 3,033 |
| 7 | 10/04/2010 | 18:00 | H | Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique are a French professional rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. They were founded on 22 October, in 1937 two years after the founding of the French Rugby League Federation. Between 1995 and 2002 the club were known as Spacers de Toulouse, due to links with... |
L | 36 - 42 | Stobart Stadium Halton | 2,793 |
| 8 | 25/04/2010 | 15:00 | A | Batley Bulldogs Batley Bulldogs Batley Bulldogs are an English professional rugby league club from Batley, West Yorkshire. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895... |
W | 24 - 32 | Mount Pleasant Mount Pleasant, Batley Mount Pleasant is a rugby league stadium in Batley, West Yorkshire, England. It is the home of Batley RLFC.Renowned for its famous slope, Mount Pleasant is situated at the top of the hill that overlooks the town of Batley. The end of the ground at the top of the hill is surrounded by three... |
1,046 |
| 9 | 30/04/2010 | 20:00 | H | Featherstone Rovers Featherstone Rovers Featherstone Rovers are a semi-professional rugby league club, based in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England. They currently play in the Championship. The Rovers are one of the last vestiges of "small town teams" that were once common in rugby league during the early twentieth century... |
L | 8 - 9 | Stobart Stadium Halton | 3,448 |