Halifax 30 Widnes 16: Penkywicz on song as Halifax head back up to second spot

The visitors, who lost the Northern Rail Cup final to Batley Bulldogs in dramatic fashion less than a fortnight ago, came into the game low on form and confidence, but shocked their third-placed hosts by taking an early 12-0 lead.

First, their Halifax-based loose forward Ben Kavanagh reached over the whitewash by the side of the posts and the young full back Danny Craven added the easy conversion.

Then stand off Chris Gerrard's long pass on the right flank gave winger Paddy Flynn the time and space to slide over in the corner, Craven on target once again with the kick from the sideline.

The home side, impressive winners at 2009 champions Barrow a week earlier, finally sparked into life as the half-hour mark approached, with substitute Penkywicz twisting over from point-blank range and winger Lee Paterson halving the deficit with the boot.

Halifax were level within seconds when former Widnes hooker Bob Beswick and Australian Ben Black combined to give full-back Shad Royston his 24th try of what has proved to be a prolific season.

Paterson kicked the conversion to level the scores and that was how it stayed until the break.

Halifax took the lead early in the second half, stand-off Luke Branighan touching down and Paterson converting from touch for an 18-12 lead.

Widnes had a chance to cut the gap when half-back Thomas Coyle stretched over, but the video referee ruled the ball had been lost.

Halifax scored again through Penkywicz, Paterson converting and adding a penalty as the scoreboard rolled out to 26-12.

Dean Gaskell grabbed a consolation score for Widnes, but Penkywicz scored his third three minutes from the end to seal an ultimately comfortable victory.

Halifax: Royston; Worrincy, Nash, Goddard, Paterson; Branighan, Black; Cherryholme, Beswick, Ostick, Larder, Wrench, Barlow. Substitutes: Penkywicz, Bannister, Maloney, Watene

Widnes: Craven; Flynn, Marsh, Gardner, Gaskell; Gerrard, Coyle; Gannon, Smith, Heckenberg, Haggerty, Allen, Kavanagh. Subs: Houghton, Kelly, Pickersgill, Netherton

Referee: M Drizza (France).