Going seven years without a competitive meeting between Widnes and Warrington is not a new thing in the summer era.
When Widnes were excluded from the Super League launch in 1996, it meant no game between the two from seven years from 1995-2002.
After Widnes were relegated from Super League in 2005, it was another seven years, when Widnes returned to the top flight in 2012 for the next meeting.
Despite that, there have been some memorable clashes.
Widnes become the first away team to win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium
Warrington 16 Widnes 24, 9th April 2004
Warrington moved in to their brand new ground at the start of the 2004 season, beating Wakefield and Castleford in their opening two games.
Then along came Widnes on Good Friday, the lesser spotted Aaron Moule playing a significant part in a fine away win, that featured a searing try from long range by Nicky Royle.
Simon Finnigan, Chris Giles and Shane Millard were also among the scorers for Widnes. The Warrington line-up that day included future Vikings Daryl Cardiss, Paul Noone, Gary Hulse, Richard Varkulis, Danny Lima and Jon Clarke.
Biggest Super League crowd for a Widnes home game
Widnes 24 Warrington 25, July 3rd 2005
There were two home games against Warrington in 2005, in the same year that the newly built east stand was opened at the Halton Stadium.
The first, decided by a Lee Briers drop goal, saw a record crowd of 9,825, still the highest home crowd for a Widnes Super League match.
Unfortunately, the second meeting wasn’t as celebratory – Warrington’s 60-16 thumping of Widnes confirmed the Vikings’ relegation from Super League after four seasons in the top flight.
Widnes’ first Magic Weekend
Warrington 68 Widnes 5, 26th May 2012
It was Widnes’ first time at Super League’s Magic Weekend, held at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
The one-sided thumping wasn’t memorable, but during the game, Stronghold members received a text revealing the signing of Kevin Brown for the following season, a significant coup at the time.
On a personal note, I became the first person in a Widnes shirt to kick a goal at Magic Weekend – I was invited on to the pitch to do the crossbar challenge at half-time, and after the first person managed to hit it, I decided to play it safe and make sure I kicked the goal!
First derby win back in Super League
Widnes 38 Warrington 22, March 29th 2013
After a difficult 2012 back in Super League, Widnes started to find form the following season and enjoyed a Good Friday derby victory, their first since 2004.
It came just six days after a 62-4 thumping at Wigan, but saw Rhys Hanbury and Paddy Flynn both score a brace of tries, inspired by Jon Clarke and Gareth Hock.
Once again there was a crowd just shy of 10,000, with 9,271 in attendance, the biggest home crowd Widnes had attracted since their return to the top flight.
An away win with 12 men
Warrington 6 Widnes 16, 16th August 2013
The Sky Sports cameras were present for a gripping Widnes victory, as Denis Betts’ side recorded a fine victory despite playing half the game with 12 men.
Hep Cahill was sent off for a high, late tackle on Wolves full-back, and future Widnes assistant, Brett Hodgson.
But Jack Owens scored a brace of tries, including a memorable score off a Rhys Hanbury break and Joe Mellor kick, to turn a 6-4 half-time deficit in to victory.
Widnes’ first ever Super League play-off match
Warrington 22 Widnes 19, 20th September 2014
It was a case of what might have been as Widnes were beaten by Warrington in their only ever Super League play-off match.
After finishing in the top eight, Widnes were put against their derby rivals and started superbly, opening up an 18-0 lead.
A Kevin Brown drop goal turned that in to a 19-6 lead, but a Joel Monaghan hat-trick broke Widnes hearts.
Top of the table clash
Warrington 28 Widnes 10, March 25th 2016
Arguably the best time for Widnes fans in the past 30 years was the start of the 2016 season, where the Vikings sat top of Super League after a win over Wigan.
A sell-out crowd filled the Halliwell Jones Stadium, with 15,008 watching a tight match locked at 10-all at half-time.
But Widnes, without captain and talisman Kevin Brown, faltered in the second half and fell to what would be the first of eight successive Super League defeats.
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