Ahead of Sunday’s visit of Halifax Panthers in Round 18 of the Betfred Championship campaign, we take a closer look at this weekend’s opponents.
FORM GUIDE
Halifax have continued their rich vein of form since defeating the Vikings at The Shay at the beginning of July, and have now won all of their last nine games dating back to June.
Their match at Toulouse last week was cancelled due to the French side following the RFL’s Covid Protocols, but will still provide a tough test for Simon Finnigan’s men this weekend who will be looking to put an end to the visitors’ streak.
The Panthers have risen to third in the league, losing just four of their 16 games so far this season.
VIKINGS CONNECTIONS
Halifax prop forward Ben Kavanagh made 166 appearances for Widnes between 2008 and 2015, scoring 17 tries. His seven-year spell included four Super League seasons with the Vikings.
Scott Grix, full-back and joint assistant coach of the Panthers, played for Widnes in 2007 making 32 appearances and scoring 21 tries. He won the Northern Rail Cup with the Vikings and reached the National League One Grand Final.
Ste Tyrer spent nine seasons at Halifax and is their second-highest points scorer. He made 217 appearances for the Panthers, scoring 115 tries and 770 goals, amassing 2,000 points for the club.
Shane Grady spent three seasons with the Panthers, scoring 11 tries in his 59 appearances for the West Yorkshire club.
Danny Craven had a short loan spell with Sunday’s opposition in 2015, scoring two tries and kicking just as many goals in six appearances.
ONES TO WATCH
Scott Grix is always one to watch from full-back, with hooker Brandon Moore and the versatile James Woodburn-Hall also in good form for ‘Fax this season.
Connor Robinson has kicked 33 goals for Sunday’s visitors this season but will miss out through isolation. Adam Tangata and Kevin Larroyer are also sidelined through suspension.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Vikings have been victorious on all of their last three meetings at home to Halifax, with the Panthers’ last away victory in Widnes dating back to March 2010.
Widnes lost in heartbreaking fashion by a drop-goal on the hooter in the reverse fixture last month, with Liam Harris putting the ball through the sticks in the closing seconds after a strong effort from the Vikings in the pouring rain.
STREAM INFO
There will be no live Our League coverage of the game, but the full match will be available to watch on Widnes TV from Monday.
TICKET INFO
You can purchase tickets for the game via the button below. Families can take advantage of our Summer Holiday offer, with 20% off tickets when purchasing for two adults and two children. here is an option on the ticket page to take up this offer – when supporters select this option and set the quantity as 1, four tickets will be sent.
