A YOUTHFUL Widnes Vikings side got the pre-season up and running with 34-24 victory over a physically bigger Rochdale Hornets outfit last Sunday.

New signings Liam Cooper and Connor Dwyer both crossed the whitewash, with Owen Buckley, two, Josh Wilde and Olly Brookes also adding tries.

New head coach Tim Sheens will select a stronger Vikings line up tickets for Sunday’s game against Super League outfit Castleford Tigers (3pm).

Sheens said: “We are developing how we go every week and I am happy with the way the guys are coming together.

“Particularly, we are looking at Matty Smith coming into the side linking up with Joey Lyons and Danny Craven, and then mixing things up with guys going to nine.

“We are still experimenting with things. Our smarts and ruck, with Logan Tomkins at nine and Jack Owens at one, when we have trained, shows what we have got and our kicking game is very good as well.

“We are going to need that during a long season.”

Four of Widnes Vikings’ games in the 2020 season have been selected for Our League coverage.

Three away trips to Halifax, Dewsbury and York have been picked, and kick-off times changed to 6.15pm, as well as our Bradford home fixture on Wednesday 15 April at 7:30pm.

The Rugby Football League has announced the schedule for live Our League coverage in 2020 – kicking off with the mouthwatering Betfred Championship opening round fixture between Toulouse Olympique and York City Knights at Stade Ernest Wallon on Saturday February 1.

Meanwhile Widnes Vikings’ 2020 Season Launch Dinner takes place on Wednesday, 22 January.

The night will look ahead to the upcoming season, with guest speakers including Head Coach, Tim Sheens, Captain Jack Owens, as well as some of the Vikings first team squad.

The event will be a fantastic occasion, and a chance for you to see in the new season rubbing shoulders with some of your favourite Vikings.

A two-course meal will be included in the ticket price, with a smart dress code.

Tickets for this event are priced at £30 for season ticket holders, £40 for non-season ticket holders.

They will be on sale from the club shop in Widnes Indoor Market from Wednesday morning.

Places for the Season Launch Dinner are limited, and so the tickets are taken on a first come, first served basis.