I know RL fans are really good at calling offside, but it did get a bit ridiculous at times today, with some Widnes players making no attempt to get back the full 10... and right next to the ref at that. On one play, the ref was 10 metres back, but he actually moved up a couple of metres to line up with the Widnes defensive line!!



As I say, we all call it, but it was a bit blatant today.



Btw, I couldn't support Widnes through sheer boredom watching Tickle prepare for his kicks!!



Without Kevin Brown playing today, I think it could have been far, far closer...

They didn't break our line all day and we matched them in the middle of the park but couldn't get over the line in the second half to keep it a contest.



Well done the lads today, big effort and the score didn't reflect the balance of play.

How much more help you needed?We had Hanbury, Phelps,Marsh, ah van, Mellor, gore, Gilmore, craven, Carberry and Kavanagh missing today.

We were missing Ben johnson and Adam Robinson.. Our form forward and half back.. It happens....



What was apparent for me today is people complain about the way we have played all year but what I saw from Widnes was utter garbage to watch. yes effective and grind us out of the game but one out plays with a jon clarke scoot was pretty dull viewing. Thought we played some decent stuff but ultimately got done by fast defensive line speed, quick play the balls and kevin Browns kicking game.



We seemed to lose our heads when we smashed Hep Cahill making him spill the ball only for that waste of oxygen with a flag to rule a penalty. Widnes got on a roll and really made us pay.

Just the Widnes line to at least start 10 metres back was all I wanted. Brown was by far your best player today, and I'm just saying it could have been much closer if he'd not played.



All the best in the next round.

Great effort today from the lads the score line flattered Widnes which was a shame, two poor decisions costs us big time but roll on next week.

Mellor is the best halfback at our club and Kev Brown is quality too. The weather was a leveller in my opinion but you gave us a good game. All teams have injuries and we are missing a few of quality. Anyway you will do well this year and all the best mate.

Good effort today. Widnes just too strong in the second half. Kev Brown was excellent behind a dominant pack. Kicking game needed to be better. Gave away too many pen.

Btw, I couldn't support Widnes through sheer boredom watching Tickle prepare for his kicks!!



To be honest could put up with it. Great player

I totally agree Lee. Johnston's pace would have skinned some of their forwards who i thought looked very flat-footed in defence, he would have also exploited their side-by-side marking at PTB, how they got away with that from start to finish is beyond me ! The first half we were magnificent & the Cahill incident was disgraceful, the big soft puff changed his line to pick out our winger & he got clattered from the inside fair & square, he winced like a playground bully when he lost the ball & then took delight in the wrong decision which penalised us, poor effort from him. All three match officials had stinkers, that's Thomason's worst performance that i've seen, maybe he got SL flu for the day.... at least our game wasn't decided by a dodgy drop-goal decision !!!! That would have hurt.



Onto next week now, three points is a necessity i.m.o. if we're fit & healthy we'll be in a good position with our current form.

A huge effort by all the Team, gave Widnes a scare in first half. Cahill penalty a turning point, Brown then took charge, end score did not show the true story of the game. Proud to be a Fax Fan. Next week is an important match, keep playing as last 3 weeks and we can do it.

The difference yesterday was that extra strength and fitness of a SL team. And they were cleverer around the ruck and the defensive line where you would expect them to be. Plus they managed to turn us in the tackle better whilst they generally hit the ground on their knees in attack so had quicker play the ball, although it seems you are now allowed to surrender and still get a quick play. This meant they got a roll on in the second half and managed to force a fair few repeat set so that was always going to tell.



In terms of creativity, they didn’t really have any more than us. In fact I dare say we tried more stuff. A good effort from our boys, we stuck to it even when the game had slipped away. But well done Widnes, they had a tough game from us but they stuck well to their plan and did what they had to do well to win the game.

Fax played well and never gave up, even when the game got away from them at the end. The real difference was the speed, power and fitness of a full time team, I also thought Kevin Brown was poor for Widnes, yes he came up with a couple of kicks that led to tries and scored the interception, but he was playing behind a dominant pack and failed to open us up once with ball in hand. For a player with so much SL experience I think he was disappointing, I'm glad Mellor didn't play. Some poor calls also by the officials at times but I don't think that would have made a difference in the end.

I thought that there was very little between the two sides on the day. Full time players just about edged it, but we could have done without three officials who hadn't a clue between them.The penalty early in the 2nd half was laughable and the big turning point in the game. Play like that next week and we will be reight! Well played Fax.