Rugby Union: Bradford & Bingley 83, Widnes 7.

Dan Heyes managed a smile in the clubhouse afterwards, but was still clearly suffering from shell-shock.

The Widnes fly half had just seen his side concede 12 tries, ten of which were converted, and a penalty as Bradford and Bingley racked up a record points haul for a league match.

"Their backs were just awesome - we had no answer to their pace," said Heyes, "and we just fell apart in the second half.

"It is our worst defeat of the season and the worst I have been involved in in seven or eight years for the team."

At least Heyes had the consolation of scoring his side's only try, intercepting a Richard Petyt pass to steal in under the posts, centre John Witter converting.

Centre Matthew Inman may have kicked 23 points for the Bees, but the Thwaites North Division fixture was also a personal triumph for full back Mark Coultas and winger Steve McManus.

Both grabbed a hat-trick of tries, Coultas saying: "That was the first time this season we have 'played' for 80 minutes. Normally we only play for about 60 minutes."

The 26-year-old dyers operative added: "We were reminded at half-time that points difference could be important.

"Widnes had a big set of lads, but were slow so we knew we had to move them about."

The signs were there in the opening minute as in-form winger Jeremy Marr ran well from deep, and Inman soon stroked over a fourth-minute penalty after Widnes were offside.

An excellent reaction catch by Petyt and an intelligent kick over the defence by lock Rob Woodhead were crucial elements to the first try in the 12th minute.

Rob Woodhead went charging after the ball as it fell into space, but Mcmanus got there first and, although his hack on looked to have too much meat on it, he just beat both the dead-ball line and the Widnes cover.

Although Marr was beaten to a Petyt cross-kick to the right corner, the second try was not long in coming.

A long Petyt pass - another feature of the afternoon - gave Coultas a simple first try in the 24th minute.

Then Petyt and centre Hugh Gumbs linked to send in the improving Marr under the posts in the 32nd minute and, although Coultas' 38th-minute pass went astray with another try beckoning, the full back crossed a minute later.

Gumbs came on the crash ball and Marr showed first his catching ability and then his athleticism with a dive pass to put Coultas over.

Widnes, who were playing in red and black hooped shirts that were remarkably similar to the old Bingley colours (Bingley's hoops were slightly narrower), dominated the start of the second half.

But the Bees put a dagger in their hopes with the next try in the 53rd minute, prop Richard Thomas crashing over.

The sixth try came three minutes later, Mcmanus showing a very capable side-step and a neat turn of speed after another long Petyt pass, Gumbs having weaved his way infield from the right touchline.

Then Bradford and Bingley's replacements helped them turn the screw, substitute lock Andy Woodhead sprinting over on the hour after flanker John Potter had broken from a line-out.

Three minutes later McManus completed his hat-trick, a fine conversion by Inman from near the left-hand touchline bringing the score to 55-0.

Petyt had no right to expect Coultas to be on hand in the 68th minute when he slipped in trying to reach the line, but the full back was, and completed his hat-trick.

Widnes claimed their seven points in the 72nd minute, but Petyt strolled over for Bradford and Bingley's tenth and 11th tries in the 76th and 78th minutes, and Marr showed his speed and weaving ability to finish matters off in the 79th minute.

Bradford and Bingley are now second in the table on points difference behind the only unbeaten side Tynedale.

Bill Marshall

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