WIDNES found a Field leader in their first win of the season in South Lancs Cheshire One, writes RON KING
Second row Mark Field was a thorn in the side of a big Warrington side all afternoon.
This was a mature display by the young pack star who dominated the lineout, destroyed in the loose and was devastating in the tackle.
The home side had to make several changes before kick-off due to injury to skipper Richard Barraclough and the versatile Dave Welsh.
But the team responded with a display which showed that this squad has the ability to compete in this division.
This was not a one-man show and 17-year-old full-back Matthew Riley oozed class as he scored a try and touchline conversion.
The selection of Andy Shaw at open-side wing forward gave the back row pace that had been missing in previous weeks, and allowed No 8 Paul Borg more room to attack the visitors.
Warrington posed Widnes problems in the tight scrum in the first half but the home side still looked the most likely to score and did after 18 minutes.
Tommy Ledson drove the ball to the line with a determined run and, from the ruck, wily scrum-half Paul Newall dived over for the try.
The visitors pegged the Wids back with a Shaun McDermott penalty, but he missed another two and the half finished 5-3. This local derby had its flashpoints and the referee's patience ran out after 51 minutes as he sinbinned Shaw and Neil Sullivan.
Widnes had now sorted out their scrum and after sustained pressure, Riley skipped over for a fine try after great work by Michael Lamb. The scorer also converted from the touchline.
The only way Warrington were going to score was if Widnes made a mistake and, in the 75th minute, a wayward pass was intercepted 75 metres from the home line and Drew Povey received the final pass to score.
Deep into injury time, Widnes grabbed another try when the industrious Shaw pinched the ball from Warrington and passed for Lamb to charge over. Widnes entertain Altincham Kersal on Saturday in the NIP Cup (ko 3pm).
