CLUB captain Matt Hughes will gladly accept the plaudits heading Kirkby Lonsdale’s way after another exhilarating performance in the victory over Widnes.

The 46-12 success against the team occupying third-place in North One West at the time also represented Kirkby’s ninth win on the spin at Underley Park.

And after returning to winning ways following defeat at Broughton Park the week before, Hughes believes his side’s showing against Widnes was their finest of the campaign to date.

“It gives a great deal of comfort when you hear nice things being said about what we’re doing,” he said.

“We’ve played Widnes a few times now so we know each other quite well and I spoke to their coach before and after the game and he was very impressed with what we’re doing down at Kirkby.

“He said the best team won and he reckoned we could be a real threat for the next season.

“In terms of performance it was our best of the season, everything clicked and every aspect of our game that we’ve been working on paid off.

“We put a lot of pressure on Widnes defensively and they made mistakes. We got a lot of turnovers and that’s where our points came from so the defence was key.”

Kirkby end the season with games against sides stranded in mid-table with a trip to Wigton first up on Saturday before a home fixture against Wilmslow in the campaign’s finale.

John Pickthall’s side currently lie fifth in North One West, with Hughes keen for Kirkby to make the most of the remaining matches to ensure a healthy final league position.

“Fifth has to be our aim now,” he added. “Widnes are the team above us and they’re nine points ahead so would have to slip up massively for us to overtake – we would also need two bonus point wins.

“Warrington are two points below us so we’re looking to stay ahead of them and Vale, starting with a hard game against Wigton on Saturday.

“We have a decent record against Cumbrian sides this year and we beat Wigton at home although they’re a completely different animal at their place.

“They had a disappointing loss to Kendal last week and will be looking to put that right in their last home game of the season.”