After seven seasons in the top league of British Rugby League, Widnes’ reign came to an end after relegation to the Championship for 2019.
Widnes 2018 Club Record
Wins: 4
Losses: 26
Widnes 2018 Player Achievements
Most Tries: Krisnan Inu (10)
Most Points: Krisnan Inu (110)
Season Summary
For the full amount of time Widnes have been in Super League, they’ve been fighting for survival. Since the Super 8’s structure came into play, Widnes have only once survived The Qualifiers to finish in the top 8.
At the beginning of the season, expectations would have been to either finish in the top 8, or finish as high up in the bottom four as they could. Squad wise, on paper, Widnes’ was not the weakest. Widnes had a few good wins over the course of 2018 but fell short of anything outstanding with losing 26 games.
There was the slightest glimmer of hope for Widnes, with two games to go in The Qualifiers when they defeated Halifax, although Vikings fans came to knowing the reality of their demise during the majority of the season; the performances were just not up to the standard their fans would have liked.
It was a disappointing season for the Widnes Vikings but their final Super League positioning was to be expected by some people.
There were some major injuries which halted Widnes progression through the season. A few men from the pack picked up certain injuries, Chris Houston was one of the main casualties. Lloyd White was injured for the majority of the season, which was where Danny Walker’s talent was shown. The main one though, which was tough for Widnes was the injury to former Catalans man, Krisnan Inu, who broke his leg just before the Easter period began.
Widnes are known for bringing through, good young talent, and 2018 was no different. As hinted at in the previous paragraph, hooker, Danny Walker replaced Lloyd White as the Vikings’ number 9 for most of the year, meaning he had his time in the spotlight. Olly Ashall-Bott was the main one who came through and made an instant impression though. The 20-year-old utility back, made his name at Widnes with a pretty outstanding year.
With this man just signing for the reigning Challenge Cup winners, the Catalans Dragons, Matt Whitely’s career is about to begin! He, as well as others, made his name at Widnes and his tremendous 2018 campaign, was rewarded by an England Knights call up, where Paul Anderson’s side played over in Papa New Guinea.
Widnes honoured the late PNG International Kato Ottio with his passing before making it over to fulfil his dream of playing Super League.
NothingButLeague Player of the Season
Over the course of what was an upsetting season for Widnes, there were some class acts and one was, Olly Ashall-Bott.
2019 GAINS AND LOSSES
Gains
Anthony Gelling (New Zealand Warriors, 2020), Charlie Gubb (Canberra Raiders, 2019), Liam Hood (Leigh Centurions, 2019)
Losses
Ed Chamberlain (Salford Red Devils), Aaron Heremaia (retired), Chris Houston (retired), Joe Mellor (Toronto Wolfpack), Tom Olbison (Toronto Wolfpack), Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves), Matt Whitely (Catalans Dragons), Gil Dudson (Widnes Vikings)
https://nothingbutleague.com/2018/07/12/5-exciting-youngsters-to-watch-out-for-at-the-widnes-vikings/
