James Ford – 7 – was very surprised to see Ford included after he was basically villianised after the Leigh game and dropped to the reserves. He wasn’t spectacular, but didn’t put a foot wrong. Needs to keep his head down to win over the coach and the fans

Dean Gaskell – 8 – to say he won his one-on-one battle with Andy Ballard would be an understatement. Showed fantastic footwork to score his second try in the corner, and he was solid against Ballard on kicks in defence.

Mat Gardner – 6 – had a quiet game, and has been quiet since picking up his shoulder injury.

Toa Kohe-Love – 8 – many criticise his age and weak knees, but you can’t deny his class. His try in the second half was as a result of great strength and awareness, and he was solid as ever in defence

Paddy Flynn – 7 – put in some good tackles on Liam Harrison and worked hard to keep a dangerous left sided pairing quiet. Will have been disappointed not to get a try in the first half

Anthony Thackeray – 7 – another solid display, pretty much what we’ve come to expect from our best player. Agonisingly close to what would have been a great interception try chance

Chaz I’Anson – 7 – wasn’t on the field for long, unfortunately, picking up an injury, but it was his kick that created the opportunity for Shane Grady’s first try. Has potential, but not sure whether we’ll see him again in a Widnes shirt

Jim Gannon – 8 – led from the front as usual, a tireless workhouse. Solid in defence and never takes a step back going forwards.

Kirk Netherton – 9 – played the full 80 and scored two tries thanks to great awareness from dummy half. Also put in some tidy kicks to help contribute to what was a very effective kicking game

Ben Davies – 9 – boy did we miss this lad against Batley. Has a great step and doesn’t half put himself about. Takes the ball in with great passion and is solid in defence too. Plays with a smile on his face too.

Lee Doran – 8 – if he keeps going like this, Doran will give Thackeray a run for his money for player of the year. Puts in a great shift every week, always willing to take the ball in, and must be up there in the tackle count too

Shane Grady – 6 – moved in to the back-row again after his performance at full back in the last game, but seems a bit jaded at the moment, capped by two missed conversions

Dave Allen – 8 – a captain’s knock by Allen against his former club, always willing to pressure Barrow’s star man Rooney

Chris Gerrard – 7 – made one or two handling errors, but all in all Gerrard stepped up well to fill the void left by I’Anson. Took his fair share of stick, but for a young lad, has played well this season.

Dave Houghton – 6 – had a relatively quiet game, but didn’t let anyone down.

Ben Kavanagh – 7 – took the ball up well and looked for gaps

Jordan James – 7 – seems to have kicked on in the last two games, and is getting his confidence back. Seemed very settled in the side and enjoyed celebrating with the fans at the end, hopefully we’re beginning to see the James of 2007 return.