WIDNES Vikings’ clash with Warrington Wolves on Sunday will be the warm-up to an historic ‘derby’ between the arch rivals in 2016.

When Denis Betts’ side visit The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Good Friday, March 25, kick off 3pm, it will be the 250th competitive match contested by the neighbouring clubs.

The Chemics v Wire ‘derby’ has produced some spectacular and ferocious rugby league since meeting for the first time in 1896, with the Black and White part of Cheshire having some catching up to do.

Warrington have won 132 of the duels compared to Widnes’ 99, while there have been 18 draws.

And The Wire have scored 3,158 points, more than 500 clear of Vikings’ 2,613.

These figures are for all league and cup matches, but not ‘friendlies’.

The biggest win secured over Warrington by Widnes came on August 25, 1975, when a 37-5 result was recorded at Naughton Park early in the new season.

Widnes scored more points when they defeated Wolves at the Select Security Stadium two years ago, but the 38-22 final score did not represent as wide a margin.

Warrington’s biggest win of the 132 came quite recently.

The 68-4 success as part of the Magic Weekend at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on May 26, 2012, is Wolves’ best so far.

In terms of individual feats, both teams can boast players to have scored five tries in a ‘derby’ win.

Martin Offiah managed the feat at Naughton Park in March, 1989, while Joel Monaghan matched that for Warrington in 2012.

On the goal-kicking front, Gareth O’Brien’s 10 at the Magic Weekend win three years ago is the best for The Wire in ‘derby’ encounters, while Ray Dutton’s eight in that win at Naughton Park 40 years ago is the best return from a Black and Whites marksman.

Wolves and Vikings have locked horns in two Challenge Cup Finals at Wembley, with the 19-0 success for Warrington in 1950 attracting the highest attendance for the ‘derby’.

The 94,249 who turned out at the national stadium that year was in excess of the 85,098 who watched the 1975 Challenge Cup decider which went the way of Widnes 14-7.

When it comes to scoring feats, one player stands alone.

Brian Bevan, the world record try scorer, crossed for 31 tries in 32 appearances against Widnes.

Also, the only sending off of his career came at Naughton Park on Christmas Day, 1948, when the record-breaking Australian was dismissed for a high tackle on Widnes winger Stan Jolley in front of a crowd of more than 16,000.

He was banned for two matches.

Warrington and Widnes played each other on Christmas Day for many years from 1897 to 1959.

The last Christmas Day derby ended in a 9-9 draw at Wilderspool Stadium in 1959.

Over the years, many players have appeared for both clubs, including Reg Bowden, Jon Clarke, Martin Crompton, Andy Currier, Jonathan Davies, John Fieldhouse, Jackie Fleming, Mark Forster, Andy Gregory, Paul Hulme, Toa Kohe-Love, Dave Lyon, Steve McCurrie, Richie Myler, Albert Naughton, Danny Naughton, Gareth O’Brien, Kevin Penny, Steve Pickersgill, Tommy Sale, Glyn Shaw, Kevin Tamati, Ike Taylor, Rick Thackray, Tony Thorniley and Jimmy Tilley.