WIDNES Vikings boss Denis Betts disappointed with his side’s display after their first hit-out of the year ended with a 40-0 mauling by Warrington.

However, he drew some comfort from the fact that 11 probable Super League starters were missing from the clash, played in front of a healthy 5,177 gate at the Select Security Stadium.

It soon became clear that Wolves had come into the game better prepared, and with debutant Kurt Gidley and scrum half Declan Patton calling the shots it soon became tough viewing for the home faithful.

Wolves rattled in seven unanswered tries, with Vikings barely looking like scoring.

Betts said: “It wasn’t a pretty watch. Although we were OK in patches, we lacked some cutting edge. It just wasn’t a good overall performance.”

The coach opted to leave several of his more senior players out, with only one of the club’s four new recruits – Corey Thompson – having a run out.

The ex-Canterbury Bulldog played the first 25 minutes at full back as he continues his preparation for the year ahead.

Betts said: “It was good for Corey to get out there. He came here with a niggle, he had a knee operation to tidy something in his knee before he came.

“He spent the first four weeks in rehab and then the last two or three weeks on the pitch.

“He’s not had chance to get up to speed with what we want from him yet, plus he is probably going to play on the wing when Rhys (Hanbury) gets back, but he gives us good cover at full back.”

Despite the disappointment, Betts did find some positives from the encounter.

“Alex Gerrard played pretty well and Matty Whitley showed that he looks very much like a Super League player at the age of 19 or 20.

“I was impressed by Ted and Jay (Chapelhow) going forward, they just need a bit more sting defensively.

He added: “Olly Ashall showed why he gives us depth in that position, there’s something in that kid that will get better. He’s still got two years in the academy, so he’s going to get better and stronger.

“Danny Walker is a fantastic player at 16 years of age- he’s brave,got a good pass, good kicking game and his awareness around the field is good.

“He just needs some size and some thickness and he’ll come through in the next couple of years. That’s what this game is about.”