In this Challenge Cup match played on 30 Jan 2000 at Auto Quest Stadium , the referee was Graeme Shaw (Wigan), and 2301 people watched. In sunny spells but mainly chilly weather, the half time score was 40- 2, and Widnes received 9 penalties to WestHull's 8.		GAMESTAR Phil Cantillon
Widnes Vikings	76
WestHull	8

"FOUR"MIDABLE CANTILLON

If Phil Cantillon's performances continue to improve like this, he'll be in contention for the England side in this year's World Cup. In fact, if they continue to improve like this, the Australians will be searching the Cantillon family tree for an Antipodean link. The man just doesn't know when to stop, and with a partner like Paul Mansson, there will always be passes for him to collect.
Even given the poor opposition, this was a Widnes performance to enjoy. They held the ball better than last week, and showed a will to keep playing even to the end. This professionalism may just be the key to going that bit further this season.
After just four minutes, David Hulme scored the second try of his Widnes return after collecting a Mansson pass. Mansson was able to glide past the amateurs like this with total ease and supplied wonderful passes all afternoon.
Three minutes later, the first of four Cantillon tries. This was vintage Cantillon as he followed the Vikings with the ball. This time it was Afi Leuila who thundered through the defence before offloading to the hooker.
It took another quarter of an hour for the next Widnes try, as the home team seemed to sit back on their laurels. But as the visitors tired, Damian Munro sprinted through and grounded the ball by the posts. Chris Percival took two defenders with him to score his first try of the season, and David Smith took a pass before falling over the line for the simplest try he'll ever score.
Simon Verbickas skirted the defence for his try on 38 minutes, and just as West Hull were looking forward to a rest, Chris Percival charged over for his second.
In the second half, despite an early try from Scott Bliss, it was more of the same from Widnes, as they practised their ball handling at the expense of the top Amateur side in the country.
On 50 minutes, Paul Mansson ignored Verbickas running wide, and looked as though he was going to pass to Munro who was running from deep. But then, as the West Hull defenders ran to the fullback, Mansson held onto the ball before making it float at his left shoulder. When David Smith popped up to pluck it from the air and score his second, it was a joy to watch.
Cantillon bagged his second two tries after good support play, and Damian Munro showed he is not going to relinquish his top tryscorer mantle without a fight by collecting one in between. After Phil's fourth, it looked as though it was all wound up, but Lee Hansen charged over the line before celebrating Offiah-style, throwing the ball up in the air. Well, he has just doubled last season's try tally of one in his first five games!
Just before the hooter, Andy Cheetham beat the cover to score the last try of the match.
This was just what Widnes needed before possibly the toughest game of the season, as they travel to Whitehaven next week. This will need some skill.

WIDNES

1. Damien Munro
2. James Briers
3. Chris Percival
4. Afi Leuila
5. Simon Verbickas
6. Paul Mansson
7. Jason Donohue
8. Lee Hansen
9. Phil Cantillon
10. Cliff Eccles
11. Steve Gee
12. George Mann
13. David Hulme
14. Andy Cheetham
15. Gareth Adams
16. Mick Hill
17. Dave Smith