In this N F P match played on 02 Jan 2000 at Auto Quest Stadium , the referee was Robert Connolly (Wigan), and 3837 people watched. In mild (for the time of year) weather, the half time score was 26- 8, and Widnes received 6 penalties to Lancashire's 3.		GAMESTAR Phil Cantillon League Express: Paul Mansson
Widnes Vikings	64
Lancashire Lynx	8

It took Widnes 12 minutes to get a try on the board in this match, but they never really looked back after that, with a steady succession of well-executed moves. Although Lancashire Lynx lacked the organization, skill and stamina to be considered a serious threat, a drubbing of this magnitude is still a highly commendable feat.
That they restricted Lancashire to one try, that was itself extremely dubious and smacked of sympathy from Super League ref Connolly, was testament to the work that has been put in this week.
Simon Verbickas learned lessons from last week with an exemplary display of goalkicking that would have befitted an established expert like Mark Hewitt. Add to this the wondrous displays from Phil Cantillon and Cliff Eccles, who broke tackles all day and made a tremendous amount of ground, plus the provision of players like David Hulme and Paul Mansson, the Lancashire training run will put them in good stead for the crunch visit of Hunslet Hawks next week.
Bing put Widnes ahead after three minutes. There was an audible groan as he indicated he would use the penalty to attempt two points. But from almost thirty five yards out, he struck the ball straight through the uprights to claim an enthusiastic cheer from the Widnes fans. This was cancelled out four minutes later when Phil Cantillon was penalised for lying on in front of the sticks.
The first try of the game came from Damien Munro, already leading tryscorer at Widnes, as he took a long pass from Paul Mansson. The gap was there, but it needed pace to penetrate and Munro had more than enough to scithe through for the first of a hat-trick of touchdowns. Verbickas converted from five yards in.
James Briers scored his first seven minutes later when Andy Cheetham took on the Lynx winger before the slipping the ball inside for Briers to race over. Again, Bing got the goal, this time from the other touchline.
When Cliff Eccles took the ball from first receiver and barged over the line, it seemed all over from Lynx's point of view. That was until a melee on front of the Widnes line ended with both touch judges unsighted. The referee, obviously unsure, brought a touch judge over to ask advice, but then gave the try. Confusion reigned as the conversion was taken in front of the posts (a sign that a penalty try was awarded), but the try was credited to Smith.
But that was it for Lancashire, and insult was added to injury when they had a man sinbinned six minutes from the break.
However, they limited the Vikings to just one try before half-time, when Verbickas gratefully accepted a long ball to score ten yards from the corner flag. He scored the conversion to rapturous applause.
Shortly after the restart, ex-Lancashire star Steve Gee crossed the line for Widnes, but the ref decided he was held up. But a few tackles later, Cliff Eccles scored his second try with a barging run from close range.
After joining the game to a rousing ovation, prodigal son David Hulme provided Gareth Adams with the ball. After taking out a defender, Gareth supplied the final pass to James Briers who sprinted through for his second.
Just reward for Phil Cantillon came in the 58th minute when the Hulme/Adams show came up with the move again, to send the man of the match through.
Munro then scored two tries in five minutes to seal a hat-trick. The first was from a gorgeous inside ball from Mansson, and then he took a long pass to stride in near the corner.
Then it was Donohue's chance for a five-minute purple patch. He was the chosen one from a supporting cast of four to take the ball from Mansson's midfield break, and he gathered up a loose ball three minutes from time.
As the fans shouted for the magical seventy point milestone, Lee Hansen brought us to within five yards of the line, but the hooter went to end a great display from Widnes.
Bring on the Hawks!

WIDNES

1. Damien Munro
2. Andy Cheetham
3. Chris Percival
4. James Briers
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. Dave Smith
14. David Hulme
15. Afi Leuila
16. Danny Myler
17. Gareth Adams