WIDNES VIKINGS coach Allan Coleman hailed the clubs who helped him deal with a selection predicament ahead of the 1895 Cup final – and the players who “helped us out at a really tough time”.
Keen to give Widnes, once known as the ‘Cup Kings’, the best chance of 1895 success against Championship Leaders’ Shield winners London Broncos at Warrington on Bank Holiday Monday (August 31), the team chief rang the changes for Thursday’s away game against Sheffield Eagles.
The final match of the regular league season was rearranged after originally being due to take place on Sunday, with Widnes, who are bound for the play-offs, expressing concern over fixture congestion.
Castleford Tigers backs Jenson Windley, Sean Coughlan and Alfie Lindsey and forwards Aiden Doolan and Sam Grice, Leeds Rhinos centre Max Rhodes and Leigh Leopards prop Layton Jupp all featured in the 12-8 defeat at Dronfield.
So too did three community-game players who turned out as trialists – Thatto Heath Crusaders halfback Ryan Forshaw, Leigh Miners Rangers hooker Jack Hamer and Wigan St Patricks centre Ben Harper.
And up from the Widnes Under 19 development team came secondrow Zak Bennett, who like Jupp, Hamer and Harper came off the bench, and hooker Declan Rigby, who was activated as 18th man.
“We looked after the players who came in and they all put themselves across as really good individuals – I’m super proud of them,” said Coleman, whose charges had previously chalked up 17 league wins and suffered six defeats.
“It was interesting and exciting to see how they all went.
“It was great experience for our two Under 19s to be involved, and I can’t thank enough all the clubs who helped us out at a really tough time with the game being so close to the 1895 Cup final.”