Awesome game, proper nail-biter.
I know we were awful at times but we did enough to win against a difficult opponent and if we had played that side earlier on in the season we would have lost it by a considerable margin. We have the knack of winning now and that counts for a lot.
The reaction at the end of the match tells you how much the players from both sides put into it. Batley devastated and out on their feet. Widnes players jubilant and celebrations galore.
On the subject of Coyle... He did find it tough but then he wasn't rotated at all in this game and it was potentially one of the most intensive we've played for a good couple of weeks.
If Tomkins had been available and Coyle had been spelled he probably would have been more available in the last twenty. It shows just how important it is to have 2 hookers interchanging.
Both sets of players were shattered at the end. Handorth and Mennall looked physically tired and I'Anson was struggling towards the end also. I even thought young Mellor looked tired and that dropped pass seemed to be borne out of tiredness and lapsed concentration (not a great pass but still catchable). Batley really moved us around the park and you could see it sapping the players energy in muggy conditions. But absolutely the joke decision by the ref (considering the penalty given against Chaz just three minutes earlier) caused us to wind up again both on and off the pitch.
Also worthy of a mention.. how hilarious was it to see Handforth miss the final kick by about the same margin he was trying to steal from under the ref's nose. Thankfully the Ref was well up to it on that occasion and wasn't go to give him the easy yards so well done for not being conned there. Handforth remonstrating with the ref at the end was delightful to watch also.
Well done Widnes.
