Workington Town are still looking for their first Championship points of the season, but produced a fully committed performance in a 22-10 home defeat to Widnes.
Widnes Vikings had arrived at the Fibrus Community Stadium for the first time in four years.
Prior to that, besides a Challenge Cup game in 2012, it had been before the turn of the century that Town had locked horns with the Vikings.
This was a Vikings side that had established themselves as a heavyweight of the Championship division since relegation from the Super League in 2016.
As such, still was their pull in the competition, that they were able to lure former England International Jordan Abdull out of retirement following a year of personal struggles.
The sides traded sets in the opening minutes before a controversial knock-on saw Town penalised and a clever kick from Abdull ended with a try from Fleming. Abdull converted.
Town were behind for 15 minutes as the sides continued to feel each other out and it was a brilliant try which really brought the home crowd to life.
A kick from Jack Owen was collected by Zarrin Galea about 20 metres from his own line and he proceeded to weave his way downfield past the opposition to score a try which Wear converted.
Widnes regained the lead on 34 minutes when they showed their class with Abdull initiating another move which ended with Felming scoring again out wide. Abdull converted.
It remained at 12-6 when the teams took their half-time break and it was Town who were first to score on the restart.
Turari Ruhaiti got there first from a lovely Wear kick on 46 minutes but unfortunately his conversion attempt slid just wide.
At 10-12 it was anybody’s game but Widnes crucially scored next after a six-again decision which upset the Town fans. From it on 58 minutes Roberts went in for the try which Abdull converted.
The Vikings went on to add a fourth try, with Town claiming forward passes with Ince touching down on 61 minutes but this time there was no conversion.
Despite the defeat the Town faithful were delighted with the performance and gave the team a warm send-off leaving the pitch.
Talking after the game Widnes coach Alan Coleman said the team knew they had been in a game, expected a physical battle – which they got – and that it would see them in good shape for the season.
Town Man of the match: Bear Williams.
Crowd: 905
