The Vikings were forced to settle for a share of the points after an enthralling 24-24 draw with Halifax Panthers at the DCBL Stadium.
Allan Coleman’s side had led by as many as 16 points, but a spirited second-half fightback from the Panthers ensured the spoils were shared in a dramatic encounter.
Following a tightly contested opening 20 minutes, the Vikings struck first as Jack Owens dummied his way through the defence to score from a scrum.
A fantastic break by Rhys Williams then pushed Widnes deep into opposition territory. On the following play, the ball was swept from left to right and eventually found AJ Towse, who raced in for his first try in a Vikings shirt.
With momentum firmly in their favour, Adam Lawton powered over from a Tom Gilmore drop-off to register his first try back in Vikings colours and extend the lead to 16 points.
Halifax struck back on the stroke of half-time as Alife Johnson broke from deep to race in under the posts, taking the score to 16-6 at the break.
Johnson added his second shortly after the restart, climbing highest to collect a kick and touch down. The comeback was completed minutes later when Charlie Graham gathered another kick to score and give the visitors the lead.
The Vikings responded well. Rhodri Lloyd rose above the defence to claim a Gilmore kick before offloading to Owens, who fired a cut-out pass to Towse for his second try of the afternoon.
But the Panthers wouldn’t go away. Brandon Douglas crashed over from close range to edge Halifax back in front with time running out.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, Widnes levelled the scores when a penalty for offside allowed Gilmore to slot over a late goal, setting up a tense finale.
Jack Hansen had a chance to win it for the Panthers, but his drop-goal attempt sailed wide, giving the Vikings one last opportunity.
In the dying seconds, Gilmore’s drop-goal effort was charged down and regathered by Lloyd, who was caught high. Owens stepped up to take the resulting penalty from 45 metres out, but his long-range effort fell short as the final hooter sounded.
The final whistle confirmed a point apiece after a gripping 24-24 draw in front of the home crowd.
We turn our attention to the second fixture of our June Jamboree, next Sunday against York Knights at the DCBL Stadium. Tickets are available HERE.
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Widnes Vikings: Maizen, Towse, Roberts, Edge, Williams, Owens, Gilmore, Murray, Johnstone, Bent, Lloyd, Lawton, Gregson
Interchanges: McWhirter, Fozard, Hall, Bennion, Butt (18th)
Tries: Towse x2, Owens, Lawton
Goals: Gilmore x4
Halifax Panthers: Nofoaluma, Tibbs, Graham, Johnson, Saltonstall, Woodburn-Hall, Hansen, Douglas, Inman, Calcott, McCarron, Tangata, Jobe
Interchanges: O’Brien, Fairbank, Cowen, Tupaea, Graham (18th)
Tries: Johnson x2, Graham, Douglas
Goals: Hansen x4
ATTENDANCE: 2,582
