IN a classic game of two halves, Widnes pulled off a real smash-andgrab act to beat Eccles 29-24 at Gorton Street.

They were absolutely dreadful in the first half and trailed 17-0 before Kevin Leadbetter got them on to the scoreboard with a penalty.

The second half saw them fight back with two converted tries from Paul O’Connor to square things up, before they handed the initiative back to the home side with a 75-metre interception try.

In an enthralling last few minutes, the visitors grabbed the win with two sensational longrange tries from O’Connor, who completed his hat-trick, and Dave Welsh, with one conversion from Leadbetter.

There is an attractive North One West fixture on Saturday when second-placed Widnes take on thirdplaced Birkenhead Park at Heath Road.

Both sides have three wins out of four, with Widnes one point better off in the table thanks to achieving an additional bonus point.

Last season, Park did the double over Widnes and will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins if they are to remain hot on the heels of leaders Kendal, who face New Brighton at Mint Bridge.

The hosts, though, have their own ambitions to stay in touch with the leaders and will also be anxious to improve on last week’s poor firsthalf showing, as well as seeking revenge for those two disappointing outings last term.

The game kicks off at 3pm.