In this N F P match played on 26 May 2000 at Gigg Lane, Bury , the referee was Russell Smith (Castleford), and 1336 people watched. In slippery conditions and wet weather, the half time score was 8- 8, and Swinton received 9 penalties to Widnes's 13.		GAMESTAR Phil Cantillon
Swinton Lions	12
Widnes Vikings	28

SIMON KNOX 'EM AROUND

For the second week running, if it wasn't for the now familiar excellence from Phil Cantillon, Simon Knox would have won the man of the match award. The ex-Halifax man is finding a rich vein of form as the season approaches its climax. He is running strongly and tackles with a ferocity that the opposition fears.
If that wasn't enough, Knox is taking young Steve Argent with him, and we now have a formidable front row that really makes a difference.
Indeed, it was a combination from these two forwards that gave us the first try. When Swinton were penalised in the fifteenth minute for holding down in the Widnes half, Paul Mansson's kick put Widnes thirty yards from the line. Simon Knox was first to take the ball up, and he went ten yards. The next man up was Steve Argent who burst through the defence to score 20 yards from the touchline.
A similar penalty six minutes later gave Swinton two points courtesy of Ian Watson's boot, but on 25 minutes, Swinton were caught offside. After a quick tap, the Lions were offside once more, and the 35 yard penalty from Jones took the score to 2-6.
Then, six minutes from the break, a dubiously forward pass gave Richard Henare space to sprint 60 yards, outpacing even Paul Mansson. The goal brought Swinton a lead that they didn't really deserve. Widnes had made all the running, but just couldn't find that finishing touch.
The last chance of the half saw Steve Gee surging towards the line. But he was held down in the tackle, and Liam Jones slotted over the ball to bring Widnes level at the break.
Ten minutes into the first half, after a few chances had gone begging for either side, Karl Fitzpatrick pulled of the cheekiest interception you will ever see. Just as the ball was played by Swinton on the halfway line, he started running at full pelt towards the Swinton stand off. The predicted pass dutifully came, and Fitzy was first there to pluck the ball out of the air and gallop in under the posts.
Three minutes later another Fitzpatrick break brought the Vikings close, but his pass to Knox was judged forward, so the the prop was called back.
Another Jones penalty edged Widnes further in front, but a great try was still to come. That man Cantillon made a break down the left flank and he waited for an eternity for the Swinton cover to commit themselves. When the hooker was virtually buried, he slipped the ball inside to Simon Knox who bounded in to score 20 yards from the posts.
Four minutes later, Cantillon caught Swinton napping once more, but this time he was tackled. That wasn't enough for Henare who decided to flop as well. He spent ten minutes in the sinbin for his troubles.
After more indiscipline from the homeside, Hodgkinson took a quick tap to run across field. Percival ran up in support, took the pass and jinked through the defence to score the final Widnes try, which Jones converted.
A consolation from Swinton made up the score, but Widnes were by far the best team in what the press thought would be close encounter. It was close at first, but the Vikings' class soon told, and it's nice to see the black and whites coming good at this stage of the season, just in time for the playoffs.

WIDNES

1. Damian Munro
2. Liam Jones
3. Afi Leuila
4. Eddie Kilgannon
5. Andy Cheetham
6. Paul Mansson
7. Karl Fitzpatrick
8. Simon Knox
9. Phil Cantillon
10. Steve Argent
11. Steve Gee
12. Mick Hill
13. Tommy Hodgkinson
14. Chris Percival
15. Chris Murphy
16. Karl Long
17. Lee Hansen