Widnes put last weeks Lancashire Plate disappointment behind them with a superb team performance to defeat high flying Manchester.

Widnes started strongly and after some fine work from the forwards, Foster crashed over in the corner.

Donohue could not convert from the touchline. Widnes kept Manchester pinned in their 22 with some fine kicking from Donohue. After one such kick, Cunningham put the Manchester scrum half under pressure and he picked the loose ball up to score by the right hand post. Donohue converted to increase the lead to 12-0.

The Widnes backs were using the ball well and on the stroke of half time a fine break from Foster was halted after the referee called play back for a forward pass.

Widnes came out for the second half determined to hang on to their lead and strong defence kept Manchester at bay.

Smart play from the backs released Foster on a run and only a last ditch tackle stopped a certain try. The forwards supported the break and the ball was quickly recycled and moved wide for Cooke to score in the corner to stretch the lead out to 17-0.

Manchester scored a consolation try after a Widnes mistake in their own 22 to make the final score 17-5.

This was an impressive team performance and Widnes can look forward with confidence to next weeks Lancashire Vase quarter final against Burnley.