Halifax 12 Widnes Vikings

WIDNES got their qualifiers campaign moving forward with a 36-12 victory over Halifax at The Shay.

It was, overall, a thoroughly professional performance by Denis Betts' men who were clearly the better side though Halifax did ask some questions during an attacking spell midway through the second half.

Betts kept faith with the same team that lost 28-14 at home to Warrington the previous week.

That meant Danny Craven again linking up with Joe Mellor in the halves, having made his comeback from injury eight days earlier.

It was all Widnes in the opening stages and after Chris Houston had gone close, it was centre Chris Bridge who forced his way over for the first try of the game converted by Lloyd White.

Vikings continued to enjoy positive field position but were met by committed home defence with Halifax visits into Widnes territory few and far between.

It took until the 32nd minute for the next score to come as Joe Mellor's half-break was backed up by White who strolled in for a six-pointer to make it 12-0.

A Halifax error soon invited more pressure and Vikings took advantage when quick hands allowed Charly Runciman to squeeze over in the left corner. White's fine touchline goal made it 18-0 at half time.

Widnes started the second half with intent and a flowing passing move from right to left saw Runciman's perfectly judged final pass put Corey Thompson over.

White missed the goal and was off target again three minutes later when Thompson crossed for his second try after catching Craven's bomb to make it 26-0.

Vikings had another great opportunity up the left-hand side but Fax winger Ben Heaton had other ideas and snaked out a hand to intercept the ball and race 50 metres to the posts.

Steve Tyrer tacked on the goal and on 59 minutes Heaton was in again on the end of a Tyrer cross-kick with the latter's excellent goal making it 26-12.

Suddenly it was the home side with all the momentum and they twice more went close but were kept out with right winger Stefan Marsh distinguishing himself in defence.

Having steadied the ship, Vikings ran in two late tries as Mellor scampered over from a Houston offload and Craven jinked over for a solo score to wrap things up.

Halifax: Sharp; Heaton, Barber, Tyrer, Worrincy; Murrell, Johnston; Morris, Kaye, Fairbank, Grady, Cahalane, Grix. Subs: Woodburn-Hall, Sio, Moore, Douglas.

Widnes: Hanbury; Thompson, Bridge, Runciman, Marsh; Mellor, Craven; Buchanan, White, Dudson, Houston, Whitley, Cahill. Subs: Manuokafoa, J Chapelhow, Olbison, Johnstone.

Half time: 0-18

Referee: G Hewer