Alex Brown scored two late tries as Batley Bulldogs came from behind to win the Northern Rail Cup 25-24 in one of the finest finals in recent memory.
With Widnes having won the competition last year and in 2007, Batley came into the game as underdogs – just as they did against Leigh in the semi-finals.
But yet again the Bulldogs upset the odds, claiming an historic victory after a thrilling second-half fightback. Batley led 12-0 after 10 minutes then 15-12 at the break, but the Vikings were getting ready to party in Blackpool after two converted tries saw them lead 24-15 with 15 minutes left.
But Karl Harrison’s all-English youngsters just would not lie down, hitting back almost immediately through Brown and they kept pressing until Brown showed superb athleticism in the 78th minute to secure what will go down as one of the greatest achievement in the club’s history.
Before winning the 1998 Trans-Pennine Cup, the last time the unheralded Yorkshire outfit appeared in a cup final was the 1952 Yorkshire Cup and their last major trophy was the 1924 Championship.
“It’s an outstanding achievement for me personally and for this group of local players, which we’ve recruited in a short space of time,” said Harrison. “I’m so pleased for everybody at the Batley club. After being 12-0 up, we made too many mistakes and let Widnes back in the game, but we showed great character to come back and win it.”
Knowing what was at stake, Batley came out with all guns blazing, and after an early penalty and scrum, Paul Handforth burst past Paddy Flynn and Lee Doran to offload for Jason Walton to open the scoring with a fifth-minute try.
The Bulldogs had their tails up and a high shot by Mat Gardner on Byron Smith gave them a second penalty in quick succession, before hooker Kris Lythe’s clever cut-out pass sent Sean Hesketh over next to the posts.
Batley then conceded two quick penalties themselves and from the tap, Ben Davies crashed over for Widnes.
Then Anthony Thackeray dummied wide before cutting inside to score for Widnes.
Shane Grady converted to level things up.
There were plenty of handling errors during a fiercely-contested second half, which was a credit to the Northern Rail Cup and the Co-operative Championship.
Jason Walton had a try ruled out but a Moore drop goal nudged the Bulldogs back in front.
Davies then gave away a penalty and Moore kicked from 22 metres, giving Batley a 15-12 half time lead.
Widnes led for the first time in the 49th minute when Flynn held off Walton to touch down.
Tempers began to flare with the hard shots flying in.
Widnes went close before Thackeray passed inside for Gerrard to crash through under the posts, sparking wild celebrations in front of the Vikings faithful.
The Bulldogs’ fightback began straight away, though, as they won the ball back from a short kick-off, and after Hesketh and Walton were stopped short, Campbell slipped Brown in to score  on the left flank.
That set up a thrilling finale.
Lee Greenwood was unable to take Handforth’s diagonal kick before a Handforth grubber went dead but Widnes couldn’t get away from their own line and the pressure told from Moore’s chip kick on the last.
Brown reached backwards to take the catch and then managed to dive over Shaun Ainscough and force the ball down.
Widnes coach Paul Cullen was gracious in defeat.
“You have to congratulate Batley for the way they stuck at it and finished the game,” he said.