Vikings pack duel will be key against Halifax (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Vikings pack duel will be key against Halifax

10:01am Thursday 18th June 2009

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ONE last familiar, but formidable obstacle stands in the way of Widnes’ hopes of making this year’s Northern Rail Cup Final.

League leaders Halifax have already beaten Vikings twice at the Shay Stadium this term, including a closely contested Challenge Cup tie.

But Paul Cullen’s men are confident that they can build on last week’s impressive win over Featherstone Rovers – with the forward duel once again likely to be key in Sunday’s match.

Although the winners of the Northern Rail Cup can apply for a 2012 Super League licence, coach Cullen says that is not even on the agenda.

He said: “This is not about the dramas of Super League, we have got to get that off our mindset because it is disrespectful to clubs like Batley, Whitehaven, Leigh and all those teams who people expect us to beat who have knocked us off and give us a good hiding.

“If the constant talk at this place is Super League then there is a tendency to take your eye off the ball and somebody in front of you that weekend is going to punch your lights out if you are not switched on.

“Whitehaven and Halifax don’t give two hoots about Vikings’ Super League aspirations – so that talk is utterly irrelevant.

“On Sunday it is all about how my six is going to take on their six and how we are going to rotate the bench and how our backs can play theirs.”

Vikings will be without cup-tied Jon Grayshon for the trip, but will have the rest of Saturday’s victorious squad available and they hope to welcome back John Duffy from injury.

Steve Patterson, Lee Bannister and Scott Yates, who played in the reserves at the weekend, are also available to boost the squad.

Winger Paddy Flynn also played in the reserves but he has a slight hamstring strain.

“We have trained even more intensely than last week - and we worked hard last week - but we have to be better because Halifax are better.

“We used the Featherstone game as a big build up and knew it was going to be rough and tough.

“We had to front up because we know we are going to get an even tougher test this weekend, so as part of the two game cycle half the job is done,” Cullen said.

Cullen was delighted with the robust effort from his pack against Rovers but is demanding a repeat performance this week.

“It was an aggressive pack performance, and the inclusion of Jon Grayshon was an added bonus.

“But every other member of the pack stepped up as well and the guys that rotated off the bench added to that as well.

“Grayshon gives us that go forward and determination.

“It was a clear example of how I want to play rugby league and how the players in Jon’s absence this weekend will have to play against an even tougher Halifax pack,” he said.

Vikings will have a big backing at Halifax with 12 buses travelling. The coaches, which are now booked up, will leave the Stobart Stadium, at 12.30pm but the Stadium Social Club will be open from 11am serving hot food for travelling fans.

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