Widnes 30 Rochdale 13 (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Widnes 30 Rochdale 13

7:50am Thursday 7th February 2013 in Sport

WIDNES produced a real ‘backs to the wall’ job against a Rochdale side who have had something of a mini revival of late with some impressive victories.

However, they were unable to prevent Widnes from securing another outstanding win to maintain their challenge at the top of North One West.

It is fair to say that Lee McDermott’s side were up against it for long periods in this match, but their defence was top notch, and their attack razor sharp as they absorbed a huge amount of pressure before responding in the best way possible.

Unsurprisingly, after nearly a month without a game, both sides looked rusty early on, but it was Widnes who took the lead with an early penalty from Matty Smith.

Rochdale deservedly got their noses in front with a try and then a penalty, before the home side replied with a long-range effort from Jonny Lowe and an injury time penalty from Smith to send them in at the break leading 11-8.

Chris Atkin’s early try at the start of the second half converted by Smith extended their lead before Rochdale found a chink in the Widnes defence to make it 18-13.

Undeterred, Widnes quickly scored again as Paul Borg wriggled his way over, and as Rochdale were forced to chase the game, Smith intercepted a pass to race home from 50 metres and give himself the easiest of conversion attempts.