Saints come up short

Five tries apiece as Potter's men are edged out by Widnes

Last updated: 27th December 2008

Saints come up short

Potter: Losing start

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Paddy Flynn's late try for Widnes condemned St Helens to a 28-26 defeat on Saturday in coach Mick Potter's first match in charge.

Loz Wildbore scored the game's first try eight minutes in after excellent work from Iain Morrison and Tim Hartley added the extras to make it 6-0 to the Vikings.

Stand off Gary Wheeler's 80-yard run and converted try levelled the scores, but Widnes kicked a 40:20 and Gavin Dodd capitalised to take the National League side into half-time leading 12-6.

Chris Flannery restored parity after the break with scrum-half Jamie Ellis again adding the extras, but Dodd's 60-yard interception put Widnes six points in front.

Drama

Andrew Dixon closed the scores to 18-16, but Anthony Thackeray then found the Carnegie Challenge Cup holders' defence wanting once more.

Matty Ashurst and Paul Johnson tries before the close put Saints ahead 26- 24 as they looked set to have snatched the win.

But up popped Flynn as the Vikings captured a major scalp ahead of the start of their domestic campaign.

Potter was not too concerned though after fielding a side featuring a mix of youth and experience.

"It was a good hit out," he told the Saints website. "I haven't seen some of the youngsters play yet so it was good to see how they got on.

"There are certainly some likely candidates for the future and that is encouraging for the club."