In fairness although it's not good for the game as a whole, it's terrible for the Widnes club. All reports I have seen have been very clear which set of supporters were to blame. This is from today's Daily Express:
"The game was marred by disgraceful scenes involving Widnes fans, who invaded the pitch and could easily have sparked a full-scale riot. It quickly descended into a sickening attempt to confront the majority of Castleford support behind the posts and one Widnes thug was seen aiming punches at the Tigers' mascot."
A case of reflecting more on the club involved rather than the game as a whole so far, and rightly so.

A few more videos around now;

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Didn't notice at the time how good the Castleford players and coaching staff were calming the Cas fans, telling them to remain in the stands and putting themselves between the hooligans and Cas supporters - far more effective than the stewards were though I doubt many on the pitch would fancy getting past the likes of Justin Carney!

Bloody Hell let's be honest aren't the Widnes Fans used to getting beat at the Sports village by now cos it certainly isn't the first time is it.

The fans ran on the pitch after the Widnes try. The stewards of should of set the tone and come down heavy on them as it was plain to see what was going to happen for those watching on TV

As a wire fan I am gutted for the majority of true widnes fans which I have really enjoyed friendly banter with over the past few seasons.

I can see the RFL coming down very hard on you guys due to the negative attention it is now getting. I suspect a 3-4 ban from the challenge cup and a very heavy fine for the damage caused to both the stadium and coaches.

I see that your now assessing future signings which will impact heavily next season. Its a shame as I was really enjoying the new found close derby games which would only get better. I really hope these morons are identified and banned from entering a stadium for life.

Oh and to the poster above about the stewards being to blame - how many times are people going to blame others for their actions. When a steward did stick up for themselves at Wire V Widnes these muppets claimed he was being to over the top. Where do you draw the line? People have to take responsibility for their actions.

Jayne, I feel really sorry for the likes of yourself and your dad who are good Widnes and RL fans. But the thought that came to me yesterday was wondering how the family of Pat (can't remember her second name) who died recently must be feeling. That lady bled black and white and did so much for your club. They must be devastated that a gang of idiots brought shame on Widnes Vikings, the town and RL.

Name, shame and ban.

The punishment should land firmly on the perpetrators.
It is a criminal offence to encroach onto a pitch and I do hope that those identified will be prosecuted.
If found guilty they will then have a criminal record.
That would be real punishment IMO and a reminder to anyone else thinking about doing the same that the consequencies will be very severe.

That would be just gravy. I would love it.

This has been depressing me all day since it happened. A few s and all of a sudden we're in the gutter, and I can't argue with it because what those people did was totally wrong. All credit to all those especially Cas fans who have not aimed at Widnes fans in general. I'm astonished the amount of people who haven't chosen to lay into us so far, as I would understand if they did.

Walked away yesterday feeling as negative as I ever have and I didn't even see the incidents as I left a minute early to beat traffic.

We can't punish them with bans, they don't care. They wont give one iota of care to the punishment the club is up for either. The people responsible will need to be punished elsewhere if we're going to really hold them accountable. I sincerely hope the police get involved.

What would be good is if after Widnes face their inevitable fine they could collectively sue anyone caught for wrongdoing.

Widnes (and Widnes fans) are doing a lot to identify these idiots and issue bans and hopefully criminal proceedings. I've seen via twitter a lot of people sending pictures and videos to GMP. Keep them coming because we don't want them in our game.

Chris. I think the majority of rugby fans, know that this is not the whole of the Widnes fan based. The prompt condemnation from your own ranks to testimony to this and perhaps why there is such widespread agreement on this point. Some people have pointed out, with some justification it would appear, that some of those involved were NOT bored football supports on a tanked up day out and the only things that could be criticised would be if this become the "party line". Rugby doesnt need these idiot, Widnes Vikings RLFC doesnt need these idiot. Hopefully a way can be found of starting to alienate them.

I was thinking about this. If the Widnes club was fined for damage to reputation of the game etc. Could Widnes then take civil action against those fans to recoup the costs of any fine.

I'm not one to support litigation, but with so many fans identified. Lets say you can name 100 of them.

If the fine on Widnes was say £50,000

Then surely any civil court would impose say a £500 damages on each individual to compensate the club.

Or the RFL could impose a fine, reducing it for every fan taken to court by the Widnes club. The club can then decided whether it's worth the cost of recouping the money. Lets face it with the impact on sponsors they could get even more out of these scum.

I'm sure some will meet criminal proceedings but nothing to stop Widnes latching onto that and getting some damages. Leaving the blame, cost and punishment were it truely should lie, with the pondscum that soiled the clubs name.