THE Wids dug themselves out of a hole against the Cumbrians to stop the losing streak with a well-deserved point, writes RON KING.

Trailing 3-10 with 20 minutes to go, Widnes hammered away at the visitors' line, got themselves level and could have gone on to win with a bit more luck as a long-range penalty attempt hit an upright.

Ste Morgan was given his first outing since his move from Halton at open-side flanker.

Captain Stu Hussey is starting to get his match fitness back and he was involved in every positive phase of Widnes play.

Widnes started stronger and should have scored a couple of tries in the opening half hour.

Michael Bowles picked up a loose ball 60m out, but instead of putting his head down and going for the line he looked for support and was caught.

The Wids had led from the third minute through a Phil Glover penalty. But Aspatria weathered the early storm to make inroads.

They were rewarded with a penalty on 33 minutes and a Mark Beverly try and conversion by Conrad Jansen just before half-time.

The Wids were struggling in the scrums and lineouts and went further behind when Jansen knocked over his second penalty.

Widnes had to start doing something different and after Jansen missed a simple penalty kick on 50 minutes, the home side started to use two-man lineouts.

On the hour mark, Widnes won one of these 40 metres from the Aspatria line, Hussey made a break and gave a short pass to Alex Gardiner who darted under the posts.

Glover converted and the Wids, who by now had their tails up, wanted the win.

On 67 minutes, they declined a penalty kick at goal and instead went for a tap penalty move. Unfortunately the ball was knocked on in midfield.

Widnes drew level with four minutes left when Glover converted a penalty from 35 metres.

And, right on time, another break by Hussey created space for Richard Barraclough to gallop up the field.

He drew the cover and released Tommy Ledson but great covering by the visitors saw Ledson tackled into touch 18 metres short.

Then, deep into injury-time, Glover hit the upright from near halfway with a penalty attempt.

This week Widnes travel to Aspull who prop up the league and with the recent improvement in form by the Wids an away win must be on the cards.

Blackburn 22 Widnes 2nd 24

WIDNES fielded a young side, with an average age of 20, against a well-established and experienced team.

Early exchanges were fierce with the heavier Blackburn pack adopting a forward game in the hope of denying Widnes any worthwhile possession.

Initially they were successful as they scored two unconverted pushover tries.

Widnes were under extreme pressure but they were marshalled well by skipper Evans.

Just before half-time, he scored a fine individual try when sidestepping his way to the line for Jez Whitfield to convert. Unfortunately, Blackburn gained possession from the resultant kick-off to score yet another unconverted try and they led 15-7 at half-time.

In the second-half, Widnes forwards won more ball as Wilde, Brick, Duffy and Lyons worked tirelessly, ably supported by Edwards, Loughnane, Murnane and Hodgson. The Widnes backs took every opportunity to attack. A penalty by Whitfield reduced the arrears to five points and two flowing moves by the backs resulted in O'Neill and Leedham finishing off the moves with a try each.

Jez Whitfield converted both tries but with only a few minutes to go, Widnes allowed Blackburn to reduce the final deficit with a converted try.

This Saturday's game is at home to Lymm (ko 2.15pm). Training is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.45pm - newcomers are welcome.