Widnes 12 Liverpool St Helens 24

THE home side left their current league form way behind in this Lancashire Cup tie and the Wids were well worth their 12-5 half-time lead.

Finding themselves in the unusual position of being behind at the interval, LSH produced a competent second-half display to run out comfortable winners.

Widnes produced the first score after 33 minutes when winger Bruchez broke free down the right. Webb converted. LSH replied five minutes later when Phil Hewitt linked with Eifan Howell for the young St Helens forward to score on his club debut.

But on the stroke of half-time a mistake by Mike Jones let in Bruchez for his second try of the match.

The second half belonged to LSH and Hewitt in particular. After a number of games on the first team bench the young prop put in a powerful display, which included two tries, the second from a smartly-taken penalty by skipper Steve Cook. Neil Hull, who had a good game at full-back, converted both.

And with 10 minutes to go Mike Jones redeemed himself with a well-taken 30-yard run to put the result beyond doubt.

This was very much an experimental line-up and Eric Hughes was pleased with the result and the performance of his young debutants and replacements. LSH were rewarded with a mouth-watering home tie against Waterloo in the next round, scheduled for Sunday, March 4.

This Saturday the Moss Laners return to National League action with a visit to Aspatria, where the Cumbrians are always hard to beat when on home territory.