But John Duffy set Widnes on their way to victory when he crossed from dummy-half.
Talks between management and trade unions failed to save the plant at Widnes, Cheshire.
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The only exceptions to this will be the Widnes, Brisbane, Blackpool and Oldham Roughyeds matches.
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Directors of both St Helens and Widnes were quick to pay tribute to Karalius.
Thomas Leuluai and Sean O'Loughlin also crossed, while Widnes's two tries came from winger Matt Gardner.
But Offiah started his career with London union club Rosslyn Park, moving to Widnes in 1987.
Widnes, who were in the Super League from 2002 until 2005, already meet those requirements.
Sunday's final began with the sin-binning of front row players Jim Gannon, of Widnes, and Barrow's Brett McDermott.
"Bringing non-EU nationals into the UK doesn't always flow as smoothly as you'd wish, " said a Widnes spokesman.
Meanwhile Raiders' 12-4 win against Widnes ensured their progress into the last eight of the Northern Rail Cup.
Widnes are the only lower league side to have twice knocked Super League opposition out of the Cup.
Callum Wilcocks, of Hale Drive, Speke was convicted of killing Kelsey Shaw at a flat in Widnes, in April.
"It's a fantastic draw for us, " said the former Widnes and Salford coach.
Favourites Widnes, 2010 Championship Grand Final winners Halifax, runners-up Featherstone, Batley and Barrow have all fulfilled the minimum criteria.
Cullen believes the perception of Widnes and the actuality reality of the situation he finds himself in are poles apart.
The Bridgend-based club open their competitive season with a home Northern Rail Cup tie against Widnes Vikings on Friday 9 February.
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But domestic issues will be put on hold for the next few days so they can focus on the Widnes game.
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"The short time I spent at Widnes really whetted my appetite and I'm excited at the prospects for the club, " said Endacott.
He doesn't see much sun in Widnes and has English rose-white skin.
Widnes were tipped to win a licence in the last round of bidding in 2008, only to lose out to Salford and Crusaders.
The squad includes prop Ryan Tandy, who played in Super League for Widnes and Hull KR and represented Ireland in the 2008 World Cup.
Last season's Masters and Grand Prix winner squandered a 3-0 lead against the Widnes qualifier and missed a gilt-edged chance to go 4-0 ahead.
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But Widnes never surrendered, Gardner's two tries sandwiching a quick-fire burst from Sam Tomkins, who grabbed his third try on the stroke of full-time.
Leeds Rhinos will play London Broncos and Wakefield will play Widnes in the two all-Super League ties in the fifth round of the Powergen Challenge Cup.
The Knights led 12-10 at half time thanks to two tries from skipper Paul Hughes, but Widnes ran away with the game in the second half.
But there was plenty of sympathy for the Widnes players who suffered final heartbreak for the second successive season after losing to Hull KR 12 months ago.
The Cumbrians again breached the Widnes tryline through substitute Scott Kaighan, but it was merely a consolation and was answered by a score by Vikings centre Richard Varkulis.
O'Connor acknowledges that for a club with their means, Widnes have to concentrate on bringing through local talent as the key to their approach in the coming seasons.
Vaughan, who has also spent time as owner of non-league Barrow and rugby league side Widnes, first took over at the Deva in 2001 during City's Conference days.
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