Warrington v Widnes 1990-91 Regal Trophy

29/12/90 Warrington and Widnes faced each other for the second time in three days, Widnes having triumphed 6-2 on Boxing Day in a feisty mudbath at Wilderspool, with the Chemics going in as strong favourites against an injury hit Wire who were playing their sixth game of December with a game against Wigan at Central Pie on New Years Day on the horizon.
Widnes were at full strength barring the omission of Davies, Holliday and Eyers, whilst Wire had to make several changes. Bob Jackson returned from injury on Boxing Day only to pick up another knock during that match, Tony Thorniley was still out injured as were Mike Gregory, Gary Sanderson and Mark Forster. Mark Thomas started only his second game and first at prop, Gary Mercer was moved into the Second Row for the first time, a position that he would cement for the remainder of his career, Paul Williamson returned from long term knee injuries to make only his fourth appearance of the season on the wing and Roland Phillips remained on the bench for his fourth game of Rugby League, so a tough defensive encounter lay ahead of this inexperienced Warrington side.
The game opened with no quarter being given and Wire's first chance for points came from a penalty when Paul Hulme stamped on the face of Des Drummond, but Chris Rudd's attempt was wildly hooked across field. An alert Allen Bateman kept it in play and Wire nearly went over. The Welshman would not last much longer on the pitch having aggravated an injury that he was carrying from the Boxing Day match, Rocky Turner coming on at centre to replace him.
Now relishing his new position in the back row, Paul Cullen set out to distract the Widnes forwards from their game but hitting them hard at every opportunity, especially Joe Grima, and the tactic worked.
Both teams found gaps and made breaks but the final pass and last ditch defences kept the score at nil nil, a high shot from Sorensen on Mercer gave Turner the chance to put Wire two up, but his hacked shot stayed in play. Neil Harmon had to leave the pitch with a knee injury introducing Phillips, whilst Widnes had lost both Currier and Koloto to injury.
From a scrum Kevin Ellis put Dessie clear only for referee Holdsworth to spot Cullen's knock on at the base. Wire won the re-scrum against the head which lead to a penalty opportunity for Rudd for Tony Myler's dissent. This time the young Cumbrian kept his nerve and made the score 2 nil at the half time hooter sounded.
The second half started in the same vein and penalties to Widnes gave Grima the chance to offload a dubious ball to Offiah who outpaced Ellis and Lyon to score in the corner. Moriarty's touchline conversion fell short. 2-4 to Widnes.
Grima and Sorensen combined to concede a penalty to Paul Cullen and give Rudd another chance to kick two points but his attempt again failed as Wire were not taking their opportunities having now squandered six points.
Widnes were now starting to keep the ball alive and find gaps in the Wire defence, first Esene 'Flymo' Faimalo broke through only for Lyon and Rudd to combine to bring him down, followed by Dowd's long range break, again prevented by Lyon when he threw a dummy to his support, Widnes were building and on the last tackle Sorenesen sent a rampaging Flymo away under the sticks only for a magnificent try saver from Kiwi captain Duane Mann around his ankles chopped him down with a certain try on the cards.
Wire had weathered the storm and Offiah's panic pass was fumbled and the winger regathered from an offside position. Rudd put the penalty over and Wire were level 4 all.
With extra time beckoning a loose pass from Widnes was volleyed upfield by Tony Myler into the path of David Lyon, from his kick return Warrington kept the ball alive which found Mercer on the right and he put Drummond away fifty yards out against Offiah. The veteran took Chariots on the outside and his overhead pass landed infront of a supporting Rudd ten yards out, who kept a calm head to gather the ball, step Tait and then duck the Hulme brothers desperate attempts to drop over the line and send Warrington fans inside Central Pie ballistic.
The conversion was missed and Wire clung on for a memorable victory against a formidable side.