WIDNES Vikings blasted off a few more off-season cobwebs with a 30-0 win over Halifax, with Danny Craven impressing in the halves in the absence of Joe Mellor.

With the off season sale of Kevin Brown and the leg injury sustained by scrum half Mellor, Craven has been propelled into the starting halves and now has an opportunity to stake his claim.

And against Halifax on Sunday, Craven sought to show he was up to the task.

Coach Denis Betts said: “Danny has always had that kind of ability in him, he’s just got to believe he can handle it at this level or handle playing in a Super League environment.

“I think he’s got some maturity under his belt and he’s got experience in the Championship.

“He’s trained really well throughout pre-season and he’s probably got the best left foot in the competition, and that’s all competitions, I don’t think anyone kicks the ball better than Danny Craven.

“That’s putting some pressure on him but he’s strong defensively, can handle himself and carries the ball really well. He’s give me some opportunities in terms of competition and he’s making it hard not to pick him.”

In woeful conditions Vikings had been held to just one score in the first half, but in the second half they clicked against the tiring Championship outfit.

A grubber from impressive number nine Jordan Johnstone caused panic on 15 minutes with Macgrath Leuluai alert to the error to touch down.

That was the only score of the half, with the second half a different story, with Charley Runciman getting the ball rolling with a try in the corner on 45 minutes.

Quick hands, including a good last pass from Corey Thompson, linking up from full back, sent Pat Ah Van in at the corner.

Then a strong run from debutant Tom Olbison helped to set up the platform for the determined Craven to force his way over, again on the left.

And after a strong run from prop Sam Brooks had put Widnes on the front foot again, Leuluai ran a good line to cross for his second. Tom Gilmore tagged on the extras.

The last try was the pick of the touchdowns, with good hands and plenty of movement seeing Ryan Ince cross in the corner.

Widnes travel to St Helens on Sunday (3pm) seeking to win the Karalius Cup for a third successive year.