Widnes St Maries 23 Thatto Heath 14 HEATH have only themselves to blame after losing for the second week on the run.

A string of schoolboy errors led to St Maries capitalising as the visitors repeatedly wasted good positions by either losing the ball or sending the the last pass astray.

Heath had started well enough, taking the lead with a try out wide on 15 minutes by winger Martin Ford after a great run and pass by younger brother Barry.

The try was converted by full-back Wayne Jackman to put Heath in the lead 6-1, St Maries' scrum-half Peter Forrester having put over a one-pointer in the fifth minute.

Jackman stretched Heath's lead with a penalty awarded for a high tackle on himself. But Maries centre Andy McDonnell replied with a well-taken try in the corner just on the half-hour mark.

Then on 35 minutes winger Chris Fenlon made the score 8-7 with a penalty for offside. And indiscipline in the Heath defence led to another penalty just on half-time for a high tackle. Fenlon was again on target and the Widnes outfit led 9-8 at the interval. Just after the break St Marie's winger Darren McKeown scored in the corner after picking up a loose pass on the last tackle.

From the kick-off Thatto Heath should have pegged back four points when winger Mike Woods looked certain to score. But with the line begging Woods tried to step inside and was bundled into touch by covering defence.

Maries then took control with a penalty by Chris Fenlon. Fenlon was again on the spot with a try and conversion on 55 minutes to make the score 21-8.

Heath rallied with a superb try by evergreen winger Martin Ford and a terrific touchline conversion by Wayne Jackman.

But St Maries captain Ian Dawson put the final nails in Heath's coffin with two drop goals late on and Maries were worthy winners.

Heath's man-of-the-match went to prop Dave Sheridan, with Barry Ford and Carl Cooper close behind.

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