Halifax 12 Widnes 36: Vikings show no mercy as Halifax lose out
Richard Marshall’s side, who went into the game on the back of last week’s last-gasp loss at Hull KR, never really recovered from an indifferent start, which paved the way for the Vikings to build an 18-0 interval lead.
Widnes stretched their advantage out to 26-0 with two Corey Thompson tries after the restart, before a Ben Heaton interception – the winger’s fifth in two games in the Qualifiers – got Fax on the scoreboard.
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Hide AdHeaton touched down again with 20 minutes remaining, taking Michael Sio’s flick on from a Steve Tyrer kick, with Tyrer’s conversion cutting the deficit to a tempting 26-12.
The home side ramped up the pressure on their visitors, who conservative estimates suggest spent at least £1.5m this year compared to Fax’s budget of around £250,000, and finally gained some real momentum.
Simon Grix was adjudged to have knocked on as he tried to force the ball down on the line, while Steve Tyrer and Rob Worrincy both went close.
But with the Vikings defence holding out, the visitors gave the scoreline a flattering gloss with two tries in the final six minutes from half backs Joe Mellor and Danny Craven.
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Hide AdFax had struggled to impose themselves on proceedings from the start, with a series of penalties and handling errors giving Widnes the initiative.
The Vikings took early advantage with a Chris Bridge try, converted by Lloyd White, who also bagged a converted try.
Charly Runciman touched down after a loose pass from Heaton less than two minutes before the break.
Thompson’s brace in the early minutes of the second half gave Widnes some breathing space, which they were glad of as Fax came alive in the final quarter.
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Hide AdHalifax: Sharp; Heaton, Barber, Tyrer, Worrincy; Murrell, Johnston; Morris, Kaye, Fairbank, Grady, Cahalane, Grix. Substitutes: Woodburn-Hall, Sio, Moore, Douglas
Widnes: Hanbury; Marsh, Bridge, Runciman, Thompson; Craven, Mellor; Buchanan, White, Dudson, Houston, Whitley, Cahill. Substitutes: Manuokafoa, Chapelhow, Olbison, Johnstone
Referee: G Hewer (RFL).