LIVERPOOL St Helens were comprehensively outplayed by Widnes in this South Lancashire/Cheshire One clash, losing 40-17.

Although they worked hard they found it hard to gain any sort of meaningful possession and when they did were completely devoid of ideas.

Clearly suffering from the absence of the regular half back pairing of Wilson and Filson they only showed their true form in snatches, nowhere near enough against a determined and speedy Widnes side.

It is no exaggeration to record that Widnes dominated the early exchanges with the first 35 minutes play taking place entirely in the LSH half.

LSH defended heroically until the 22nd and 33rd minutes when Widnes scored their first two tries.

Finally in the 36th minute LSH broke into the home side’s 22 and scored a smart try through Jake Hodson, converted by Matt Cunliffe.

Five minutes into the second half LSH scored again with a 70 yard interception try from Matt Cunliffe to make it 14-12 and despite having had little of the game LSH found themselves very much in touch.

Widnes, however, responded with a number of speedy attacks all with faultless handling, bringing two tries before the hour mark, before prop Mark Fryer reduced the arrears for LSH with a close range try.

Widnes scored another brace of tries in the last ten minutes and although LSH made a determined effort, and came close, to snatching a try bonus point before the end, it was no surprise that, on a day when they had lacked cohesion and inspiration, they failed.

LSH are next in action on Saturday 11 February at Moss Lane against league leaders Manchester (KO 2.15) when the club will be officially launching their Heritage Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Letters, documents, pictures and memorabilia from 1857 to the present day featuring both the Liverpool and St Helens Clubs and the formation of LSH will be on display.