this year if we don't find a more adequate kicker..

Good lad Grady for putting the last one over to tie the game but we can't rely on beating or drawing against teams by only scoring tries.

Fairly average run out today against a well drilled side and it's always difficult playing at Mount Pleasant. It's difficult enough walking up the hill to the stadium let alone playing 80 mins of rugby on that slope.
I think we will improve and I'd prescribe some serious work on the tackle bags this week.
Also they need to look for Ford a bit more who made some decent supporting runs but wasn't found on each occasion.
Good to see some clever running from Kavannagh and Ainscough's two tries were superb.

Batley won't be anyone's mugs this year. That's for sure.

We will never learn. We had this problem not that long ago, it's such an important part of the game. You need a kicker, its over a third of your points.

I knew it wouldnt be easy as Batley always give us a tough game at the mount but i was hopeful of a win. We were poor the first half and not for the first time i thought we were a little out enthused. Mark Smith was very poor today and we lacked spark from that area. A better second half showing had me coming away from the game satisfied that we got back and claimed a draw.

My ratings are as follows.

1. Fordy - Solid without doing anything great.
2. Gardner - Ran the ball in very well but perhaps too much at times causing him to be out of position.
3. Grady - Inaffective in attack and poor kicking for goal.
4. Toa - Quiet game but decent pass to Ainscough for his second.
5. Ainscough - Solid debut with 2 tries to his name, he will be a great player for us.
6. Thacks - quiet game from him, spoiled it by getting binned.
7. Webbo - marshalled the team well, shame he doesnt have the pace anymore.
8. Pickersgill - worked hard.
9. Smith - poor game, doesnt scoot anymore and gave away a couple of pens, should be doing more as captain.
10. Gannon - poor game for me, gave away penalties and was sloppy in defence at times.
11. Doran - Solid game from Lee without doing anything of great notice.
12. Allen - Poor game from Dave, went high on occasions and was poor going forward.
13. Gerrard - good defence but poor in attack.

Kavanagh - my Widnes MOM ran hard out wide and got himself a double.
Houghton - worked hard.
Farrell - looks a good prospect, decent spell on the pitch
Davies - Looked quite skilfull for a front rower and done a lot of work.

Credit to Batley, they're a good side under rhino but we need to improve, early doors and a draw was a decent result looking back.

Missing from today

Varkulis
Haggerty
Flynn
Gaskell
Dean

Cant wait to see Haggers in the team.

On a brighter note Leigh got beat by York, and haven by cougers

rlI'll just leave this here in regards to Leigh.rl

An oldie now but still a goldie.

And what will time on the tackle bags do exactly? I'm sure Cullen (if he's back fully?) and the coaching team know how to drill a team to defend.

Great game today, always enjoy our contests against you fellas, there's been a few thrillers over the last couple of years.
Didn't realise Hewer had to be escorted off by the Rozzers. Maybe he told P.C. Plod why he bizarrely ignored (ignored is actually the right word, it was like a player hitting the back of the net in a soccer match and the ref waving play on) a legitimate 'try' under the posts.
Anyway, a brill game and congrats on coming back to draw. Also, thanks for bringing a good away following as usual.

There might not be a lot of them - but they get very very angry when things dont go their way, or they dislike a player - nearly saw one geezer's head explode having a go at Graham Holroyd once - dont know what he ever did to upset them so much?

Ooooh what's up with her?? My post was obviously just meant to imply that more work is needed defensively.
Touch of PMT Rich?

On a sort of positive note, how do the following get back in the team?................

Varkulis
Haggerty
Flynn
Gaskell
Dean
Coyle

Dean for Grady
Haggerty for Houghton
Flynn for Gardner

and ermmmmmm Coyle should be on the bench for?????

Most of the numpties complaining on the 'other' board about how we should be breezing past Batley didn't even see the game. If they had, they would realise that Widnes did well to come back against a good team that, if they keep playing like that, will make the playoffs and could do some damage when they get there.

I love going to Batley (and not just for the best snack bar in RL - yesterdays corned beef hash and chips was great and the 'oh, let's just call it a tenner' customer service even better) and always make sure it's a trip I never miss, but some Widnes folk seem to forget that we lost there last year and were losing when the hooter went the previous year. Respect is due, and you certainly have mine. Surprised about Hewer needing an escort - fans only ever see the ones he doesn't give you! I think we had some legitmate concerns over a couple of Batley tries as well, but that's always gonna be a talking point in a close game.

As for goal kicking - yup, it could cost us games. We missed three, two from the touchline, Bately missed one from nearly in front but a long way out. Let's give Cullen a chance to sort something out over the next few weeks.