A FINE Widnes fightback was in vain against Preston whose strength lay in their big forwards.

The visitors used this well to post two pushover tries although Andy Ruane scored the first of his brace to reduce the deficit at half-time to 10-7.

The loss of Mally Koo from the Widnes front row meant scrums became uncontested.

Replacement Jimmy Cassidy showed up well as Widnes scrapped and fought for every ball to score further tries from Kyle McGreevy, 'Ivan' Winstanley, and Ruane's second.

With a Widnes victory in sight, Preston obviously had other ideas and for the last 15 minutes they tied the ball up in their forwards to produce three more pushover tries to take the league points.

Widnes youngster Neil Bliss caught the eye at fullback, as did Adam Higham in the centre.

This Saturday, the seconds are at Liverpool-St Helens.

Tyldesley 3rd 55 Widnes 3rd 7: Widnes were outclassed by a Tyldesley side, who look to have the word 'champions' written all over them, in the Miller Homes League.

Widnes never game up, however, with their forwards deserving praise - particularly Si Bruce, Tony Molloy and John Maher, who was playing his first game in the second row.

Saturday sees a home game with Eccles. Winnington Park U17s 5 Widnes Under 17s 19: Without firing on all cylinders, Wids took the points and kept their 100% record intact.

They led from halfway through the first half when Cranwick Foods Ltd MoM Anthony Grimes found O'Connor who picked a great angle of run to go over - Morgan goaling. Winnington put the Wids under pressure but excellent defence by Harrison, McMuldroch and especially Semple denied Park.

In the second half, Widnes had to re-shuffle through injuries to Mahoney, Griffiths, Dennett and Harrison.

They still managed two further tries.

Wilcox broke two tackles to race over, followed by Clark after a long pass from Grimes with Morgan adding the extras.

Winnington got a well-deserved consolation try late on.