Widnes 18, Keighley 30: A thoroughly businesslike performance by the Cougars gained them a fifth successive victory.

The win also puts them in position to mount a serious assault on the top-four.

Nevertheless Cougars never quite hit the rhythm nor gained the momentum that has seen them impress in those four victories, and at times their previous defensive weaknesses on the fringes were exploited.

Coach Karl Harrison called this game crucial, and was suitably pleased, saying: "To come to Widnes is daunting. We didn't play our best, but came up with the correct result.

"We were disappointing with the ball and didn't cause Widnes enough problems when they were down to 12 men.

"But that might have been down to the fact that Nathan Antonik was doubtful right up to kick-off, having been ill all night. He turned in a good performance but we weren't as fluent as we have been recently.

"However, that makes it five out of five and will give the boys a lot of inner-confidence."

Cougars started brightly and Martin Wood was again the inspiration. He scored all their first half points and bagged the opening try in the ninth minute, taking an inside pass from the impressive Ian Hughes to go through a sleepy defence and convert.

Widnes got their first try in the 19th minute when Liam Jones went in at the corner. Seven minutes later Widnes were down to 12 men, Karl Fitzpatrick being dismissed for punching after a brief brawl on halfway. But Widnes got the next try when Jones went in again at the corner to make it 8-6.

At this point their forwards were on top and they looked like taking that lead into the break. Wood had other ideas though and grabbed his second try.

His hopeful grubber kick hit the Widnes upright and he was first to pounce as the ball bobbled around the in-goal area. Wood's conversion meant Cougars led 12-8 at the break.

Another great inside pass from Hughes saw Cougars' man-of-the-match Danny Seal race in under the posts.

Woods' conversion made it 18-8 and Cougars should have raced clear. However, another silly penalty put Widnes in good field position and a diagonal run by Andy Cheetham put Damien Munro in with ease. Jones converted to make it 18-14.

Cougars hit straight back. A lovely pass from Matt Walker sent Dean Hanger clear. He found the supporting Antonik, who raced over. Wood converted.

Then Widnes' Cheetham went in at the corner in the 73rd minute to make it 24-18. A minute from time though Hughes made certain of victory by powering through a tired defence, Wood converting.

Widnes: Munro; Jones, Percival, Leuila, Cheetham; Mansson, Fitzpatrick; Hansen, Cantillon, Fimalo, Hodgkinson, Hill, Hulme. Subs (all used): Birdseye, Smith, Long, O'Neill.

Cougars: Hanger; Horne, K Smith, R Smith, Lee; Pickles, Antonik; Hall, Seal, Boothroyd, Harrison, Hughes, Wood. Subs (all used): Owen, Walker, Stephenson, Thompson.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.