Denis Betts delighted with recent Widnes Vikings form
Widnes Vikings’ coach Denis Betts says his side’s recent form has been in the making following the Vikings’ 46-8 win over Salford.
Betts said it had been frustrating to lose narrowly to St Helens and London, but was overwhelmed to see his side thrash in-form Salford at the new Salford City Stadium.
He said: “It’s been coming and we have seen it coming a few times this year, we have put some good performances this year and we just haven’t got the rewards in the last six weeks. We have always talked about the second half of the year as a big driver.
“To keep Salford to nil in 40 minutes was what I was really pleased about. We showed some good composure. You can see the team together and see how they are. Its taken time but they have all grown together and knitted in nicely.
“At times we didn’t pay that well against Salford, our catching and passing wasn’t as good as it should have been but our determination not to let them cross our line was outstanding. That’s what breeds a side’s enthusiasm and that’s what keeps a side together. That energy to defend your line is something we have spoken about all year and that we are starting to see because its the toughest part of the game.”
Betts couldn’t praise Rhys Hanbury highly enough, as the half back scored two tries and kicked seven goals, a personal tally of 22 points.
Betts said: “Rhys Hanbury was outstanding. He has pace to burn and his confidence is high. He ran around a couple of players quick like they were standing still. He was very special, a couple of his tries were very strong and his goal kicking was great.
“Ben Cross was outstanding, and Paul McShane did 80 minutes and finished really strong. Both our back rowers were really good.”
However the win did come at a cost for the Vikings, with Eamon O’Carroll leaving the field with what is suspected to be a season ending injury.
Betts said: “We think it could be a broken arm, but that’s just the nature of the beast. We have to feel to Eamon and it has been a tough year for him all round, and we were looking for him to be a player he could be.
“He will go away now and get it fixed before coming back and becoming a part of next year.”