Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Whitehaven in Round 19 of the Betfred Championship campaign, we take a closer look at this weekend’s opponents.
FORM GUIDE
Whitehaven go into the game on the back of a 30-12 defeat at York City Knights last weekend, but prior to that had put an impressive run together winning six of their last seven games after taking the two points in just two of their previous eleven.
Haven now sit seventh in the league, having won eight of their 18 games overall this season. They are currently four points ahead of the Vikings in the league table.
VIKINGS CONNECTIONS
Second-rower Liam Cooper signed for the Vikings ahead of the 2020 season but picked up an ankle injury after scoring in a pre-season friendly against Rochdale Hornets, and failed to return for his debut before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Cooper left the club after the season was curtailed, and joined Whitehaven for this season.
ONES TO WATCH
Papua New Guinean No.13 Dion Aiye has been at Haven for several years now and is always one to keep an eye on, as is his fellow countryman Jessie Joe Parker, a strong-running centre who joined back in 2012 and has since adorned himself to the fans.
Australian Lachlan Walmsley arrived as a versatile full-back ahead of this season but has been putting in some strong displays on the wing, notching 138 points so far this campaign as the fourth-highest points scorer in the league kicking 49 goals and scoring several impressive tries as well.
HEAD TO HEAD
Widnes have been victorious on all of their last seven meetings with Sunday’s opponents, and have played Haven twice already so far this season.
The first meeting, in the Betfred Challenge Cup, ended in a 34-10 victory for the Vikings with Will Tilleke scoring on his home debut for the club.
Will scored in the second game against Haven this season as well, the first game in front of fans again at the DCBL Stadium in Round 7 of the Betfred Championship which ended 44-6 in favour of the Vikings.
Widnes’ last visit to Whitehaven ended in a 4-40 victory for the Vikings back in July 2010, with Shane Grady starting and Danny Craven coming on as an interchange.
TICKET INFO
There will be no advance ticket sales for Sunday’s trip to Whitehaven, and supporters wishing to follow the Vikings up to Cumbria will be required to pay on the day at the turnstiles.
STREAM INFO
There will be no Our League coverage for the game, so the only way to watch live is by coming along to support the Vikings.
Full match coverage will be available on Widnes TV from Monday, but without commentary due to the fact that there is no Our League coverage.
