Widnes managed to brush aside National League Two side Swinton Lions to reach
the fifth round of the Powergen Challenge Cup.
Two tries apiece from Daniel Frame and debutant Misili Manu was enough to put
the Vikings in the hat for the next round, but they did not have things all
their own way as Swinton turned in a spirited performance and pushed an
inexperienced Widnes team to the limit.
During the first 40 minutes the visitors were arguably the better side and
they even kept the Vikings' lead to within four points at half-time. But the
home side's Super League strength shone through in the second period to edge
them through.
The Vikings flew into a six-point lead after only two minutes when Frame
latched on to Gary Hulse's chip.
But the Lions replied four minutes later with a Super League-standard try from
speedster Marlon Billy, who raced 70 metres for a superb score out wide.
On 29 minutes Swinton loose forward Lee Marsh punished Widnes with a penalty,
after Simon Finnigan was found guilty of holding down which levelled the
scores.
But Widnes hit back straight away through Manu, who squeezed over in the
corner after some good work from stand-off Paul Crook.
Mick Cassidy then stretched Widnes' slender lead after he forced his way over
from close range, with Crook adding the extras.
Just before the break Swinton's impressive hooker Phil Joseph spun over from
dummy half to keep them in touch at 16-12 going into the second half.
Things got better for the Vikings at the turnaround after a nervy opening as
Aaron Moule sent in Manu for his second of the afternoon on 50 minutes. And when
Frame burst over for his second he put the game beyond any doubt.
However, plucky Swinton kept battling away at the Vikings' line and their
perseverance was rewarded when Billy powered his way over. Marsh struck over the
conversion to give the Lions a deserved try.
But it was rookie full-back Tim Holmes who rounded off the scoring for the
Vikings, five minutes from time to seal a victory for the home side. Stephen
Rowlands put the icing on the cake with Widnes' sixth conversion.
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