In this N F P match played on 01 Mar 2000 at Spotland , the referee was Karl Kirkpatrick(Warrington), and 807 people watched. In chilly but dry weather, the half time score was 4- 20, and Rochdale received 12 penalties to Widnes's 14.		GAMESTAR Simon Verbickas League Express: Not known yet
Rochdale Hornets	8
Widnes Vikings	34

VIKINGS HIT THE RIGHT PITCH

Widnes posted an early warning of what other teams can expect this summer, as the dry flat pitch gave them a chance to excel against admittedly poor opposition.
The vociferous travelling contingent were rewarded with a fine display of passing skills, pacey runs and an inventiveness that has been altogether lacking of late.
However, just for good measure, the first Widnes try was a short range effort from David Smith, well converted by Simon Verbickas. Three minutes later, the lead was cut back to four points, courtesy of one of many offside penalties in this game. Steve Gee was deemed guilty of lying on (not that any of their players were, eh?), and the lead was cut by another two points courtesy of Danny Wood.
But on 22 minutes, Widnes showed that you need tries to win convincingly, and it was Phil Cantillon who made it happen. When there looked to be nothing on, he darted left, sending the ball the other way into the grateful arms of Cliff Eccles who surged over the line for his fourth try of the season. Verbickas added the relatively simple kick.
Just on the half hour mark, Widnes started to pull away from the Hornets. Steve Gee made a good break to put Widnes near the Rochdale line, and Paul Mansson sent a wide pass out to Chris Percival. Percy did well to release the ball from out of the tackle to Simon Verbickas and the winger ran in to begin his hat-trick.
Eight minutes later, we were treated to the best Widnes try of the season so far. Hemmed in on our own line, Damian Munro took a sideways run across the posts before releasing Chris Percival up the field. He broke through a two-player tackle, jinked round another man as he sprinted upfield. Paul Mansson was inside him in support and continued the move for another twenty yards. The ball was flung out to Simon Verbickas who gladly finished the move to rapturous celebrations in the Widnes camp. It was an absolutely breathtaking try that came right out of the top drawer.
Just on half-time, Phil Cantillon was denied four points when he was turned on to his back over the line, but the foundations had been well and truly set for a great victory.
Five minutes after the restart, Paul Mansson shot up a high ball and the rapidly advancing Simon Verbickas jumped ten feet into the air to pluck the ball from the defender's grasp before thundering over for his third try.
Rochdale scored their one and only touchdown, but it wasn't enough to dampen the Vikings' efforts. A couple of penalties were all the visitors had to show until three minutes from time when Steve Gee sliced through the defence to score near the posts.
The whole team stepped up a gear for this one, and it must have had a lot to do with the pitch. Recent below-par performances have all been in wet conditions, but the green baize of Spotland was perfect for the fast, summer rugby to which Widnes are tuned. Steve Gee ran well all night, and Argent, Hansen and Eccles all impressed up front. There were only a few errors in defence, and there was almost always someone else there to cover. If this is what we have to look forward to in the summer, the only way is up!

WIDNES

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