News
Northern Rail Cup Final preview
8th July 2009
Neil Barraclough previews the Northern Rail Cup final, Widnes Vikings v Barrow Raiders, at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool on Sunday July 12.
Widnes Vikings coach Paul Cullen will have a near-full strength squad at his disposal when he makes his final team selection for Sunday's mouth-watering Northern Rail Cup Final.
Only Jon Grayshon is unavailable – he joined the club after the competition's signing deadline – but Lee Patterson, Michael Ostick and Paddy Flynn could have all played their way into contention after impressing in last week's Co-operative Championship victory over Doncaster.
Cullen said: "I was pleased with our performance against Doncaster but now we have to focus again, because Barrow are going to provide a rough, tough game."
"It will be won and lost in the forwards. They've already beaten us twice this season and they've shown what they're all about. If you're going on form then you have to say they're going to go into this game as favourites."
Cullen will make the final decision on the make-up of his side after Thursday night's training session.
Despite his assertions to the contrary, it is Widnes who are the bookmakers' favourite with William Hill pricing the Vikings at 8/15 while Barrow are 11/8 outsiders.
Barrow Raiders boss Dave Clark is sweating on the fitness of four key players ahead of Sunday's showdown and will definitely be without two of his most experienced players – stand-off Jamie Rooney, who is Cup-tied, and second row Ned Catic, who was banned for two matches on Tuesday for using foul and abusive language to a match official.
Martin Ostler (ankle), Darren Holt (knee), Liam Finch (knee) and Jamie Butler (knee) are all being monitored and will be given late fitness tests to prove their ability to play.
"We've got the physio in doing overtime all week," said Clark, who feels the Cumbrian town has been struck with Cup fever this week.
"The atmosphere around the town and the club is really starting to build up. We had an open training session on Monday night where we invited all the supporters in. That was a fantastic night and has really started to develop the atmosphere ahead of Sunday.
"You would expect the players to lift for a game like this. It's a one-off game and there are no second chances. The players will be buzzing and it's massive for the club.
"I think Barrow have only been in seven cup finals during their whole existence and the last one was 26 years ago. That was against Widnes in the Lancashire Cup and we won, so we're all hoping for the same again this weekend."
He continued: "Widnes have been playing quite well and they deserve to go in as favourites. It's a challenge for us as underdogs to go in and give them as good a game as we can."
