Widnes 37 - Hoppers 19

from weekend of December 13/14

THE loss of eight players to County sides proved too great a burden for Hoppers to bear on a sticky surface at Widnes.

South African full back Jamie Bloem Bloem scored Widnes' first try in the fifth minute and although Ian Ashton powered over to give Rob Smith a simple conversation and Hoppers the lead, it was the home side who created more opportunities in the first half.

A penalty for Bloem saw Widnes retake the lead and on the half hour winger Gary Christie added a try.

A mistake in the 39th minute gave WIdnes' Australian centre Campbell Ball the chance to expose Hoppers' defensive weaknesses with skipper Stuart Beeley finishing the move.

WIdnes stepped up a gear and at one point lead by 25 points.

Hoppers battled on and two tries for prop John Young, with one converted by Rob Smith, gave the scoreline a rosier look.

But with two Hoppers forwards injured Widnes took advantage scoring a last-minute try.

On Saturday (December 20) Hoppers resume league action with a home fixture against Hinckley - kick off 2.15pm.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.