In this Playoffs match played on 09 Jul 2000 at Lionheart Stadium , the referee was Ian Smith (Oldham), and 1922 people watched. In drizzly weather, the half time score was 18- 14, and Featherstone received 7 penalties to Widnes's 10.		GAMESTAR Simon Knox
Featherstone Rovers	43
Widnes Vikings	24

AN ODE TO SADNESS

So Featherstone beat us. or did we just lose?
I think it's more that we lost.
The criminal cockups and afternoon naps
were too much as we found to our cost.

Rovers put two men on Cantillon,
Ensuring he could never shine
But the other twelve couldn't quite do it, it's true
But we've seen it all time after time.

From the off, when Neil Lowe burst over the line,
It looked over, we'd lost it so soon.
But our hopes were raised when James Briers replied
Even though Liam's goal attempt was a spoon.

But Widnes knocked on and Stokes picked it up,
To sprint up the Post Office Road slope.
He passed Lee Birdseye, and Damien Munro;
Of catching him they had no hope.

Then Mansson, who tackled and passed well all day,
Ducked under the cover, real fine.
Steve Argent, supported and took the neat pass
Kicked on, and crashed over the line.

Then again, Widnes came good down the hill
When Knox supplied to Percy via Gee.
The centre did well, taking three men with him
To score and give the fans so much glee.

But just as we thought were winning at half time
And have at least a chance of a win.
But then came disaster, and with it a try,
That destroyed our hopes, however slim.

Dooler seemed tackled, and Widnes regrouped
Except Jones, who moved in to assist
But left the way clear for Bramald to take
The pass and the conversion wasn't missed.

So the lead, it had gone and the benefit of the slope,
So the second half, it was one way.
The high balls were fluffed (both theirs and our own)
And Rovers knew just how to play.

Simon Knox he played well, he ran strong and hard
He's asset with strength and real zest.
And Lambert will vouch for the strength in the man
When he fought him and came off second best.

Sometimes we were unlucky, that is for sure
But, they say, you must make your own luck.
But apart from good tries from Percy and Murph,
The second half stank. It just sucked.

I just hope the players can turn this around
With help from Dave, John and George.
Let him bring in his choice, to blend in with our stars
A promotion winning team, they could forge.

For that is what keeps us going, I think:
The hope that our big day will come.
'Til then, my friends, we will all stick with them,
'Cos win or lose, it's all been good fun!

WIDNES

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