The first of 3 crucial home games lie ahead of the Vikings, as Widnes look to put to bed their shaky home form of late.
Widnes welcome Halifax Panthers Sunday afternoon in search of only their second home win of the season. The visitors currently sit 3 points above Widnes in the league table in 5th position.
A win for Widnes would send them within striking distance of the top six places and present them an opportunity to go level on points with Barrow if they fail to beat Sheffield.
One thing is for sure if Widnes are to mount a challenge to rise in the table, their home league form must improve. Recent performances at home have seen them lose comprehensively to play-off rivals such as Barrow and Featherstone. Falling to the same fait against Halifax is simply not an option.
Halifax on the other hand enter the game looking to get back to winning ways after three consecutive heavy defeats. The Panthers enjoyed a scintillating start to the season sitting top of the table, but recent form has saw them drop to 5th place.
A defeat for Halifax would leave them in a vulnerable position, with the chasing pack hot on their tail. The Panthers have looked to the loan market this week to strengthen their squad ahead of the clash. They also welcome back pack leader Brandon Douglas to the match day squad.
Changes in personnel for both teams
With both clubs struggling for form in recent weeks, there has been a number of arrivals and departures for both clubs. Starting with Widnes it was announced both Liam Kirk and Martyn Reilly would depart the club. The pair shared travel arrangements too and from training.
Following Allan Colemans decision to release Martyn Reilly from his contract, Liam Kirk quickly followed his travel partner through the exit door. After an injury hit first season, Reilly managed 17 appearances for Widnes in all competitions, whilst Kirk managed 38 appearances for the club.
Widnes have struggled winning the battle for field position this season and the departures provide Allan Coleman with an opportunity to shake up his pack. Luke Thomas and Adam Lawton was both welcomed to the club on loan in recent weeks, however it is common knowledge Widnes are looking to strengthen further in the weeks to come.
Both players and their style of play provide a bigger line break threat for Widnes. The hope is this will generate more quick play the balls for players like Matty Fozard and Jake Maizen to feed off in attack.
Meanwhile in the opponents camp it has been just as turbulent for Kyle Eastmond’s Halifax. Young forward Joe Hird has departed the club after being granted a release from his contract. It is expected another departure is imminent from the Shay if social media rumours prove to be correct.
The Panthers are in a similar situation as Widnes working with an extremely thin squad. following a heavy 30-6 home defeat to Doncaster last month Kyle Eastond highlighted his squad size needed addressing revealing he was working with a 20 man squad of players.
Since voicing his concern over squad size, head coach Kyle Eastmond has turned his head to the transfer market in recent weeks targeting six players to welcome to the club. The first of the arrivals is former NRL star David Nofoaluma. The veteran outside back has 100 tries in 192 appearances for West Tigers in the Australian game. The experienced Winger was captured from French team Pia Donkeys and was a former Dally M Winger of the year in 2020.
Halifax also secured the services of forward Maxime Jobe from Pia Donkey’s . The former Catalan Dragons man has spent most of his career in the Elite XIII competition with Saint-Estève XIII Catalan. He will add vital options in the pack for Halifax and has been described as a tough, rangy middle by coach Kyle Eastmond.
The Panthers have also welcomed Vila Halafihi to the club convincing the 31 year old out of retirement. The experienced Hooker has 172 career appearances and a wealth of experience at Championship level most notably for Sheffield Eagles.
Eastmond has also took advantage of the loan market welcoming Winger Alfie Johnson and Back-row Nolan Tupaea from Warrington Wolves. It was also announced that St Helens forward Leon Cowen would join the pair on loan at the club.
One to watch
The one to watch this week is versatile Australian forward Owen McCarron. The 26 year old started his professional career at Ipswich Jets in the Queensland cup. He had a short spell at South Logan Magpies before making the move across to the UK signing for Whitehaven back in 2024.
McCarron is a Back-row, who can easily adapt in the Front-row due to his high work ethic in effort based areas of the game. He is a forward who misses little tackles and often leads kick chase pressure, something that earned him a move from Whitehaven to the Shay.
Since being at Halifax he has been a key component in their impressive start to the season often playing long minutes. He has 3 tries in 11 appearances for the club an impressive return for a player who has played a fair amount of minutes in the Front-row this season.
His return of tries so far shows he has more to his game than just a high work rate, he will provide a running threat if given space close to the try line. Owen has had an impressive two seasons in the Championship so far with is best years still ahead of him.
McCarron and Brandon Douglas have both lead the way this season for the Panthers in the pack, they are a duo Allan Colemans side will have to contain if Widnes are to come away with a victory.
McCarron was a former team mate of Jake Maizen in his time at Whitehaven so has links to Widnes. Allan Coleman has been vocal around effort based areas in his time at the club, so could McCarron be a potential recruitment target for 2026?
Previous 5 meetings
Widnes have been relatively dominant in the recent meetings between the two teams, winning 4 of the last 5 games including a 40-14 home win last April. Widnes have yet to post 40 points since in a competitive fixture.
- Widnes 4-32 Halifax – September 5th 2022
- Widnes 42-14 – February 27th 2023
- Halifax 26-28 Widnes – August 27th 2023
- Widnes 40-14 Halifax – April 14th 2024
- Halifax 20-24 Widnes – July 21st 2024
Trivia
- Since 1895 Widnes have met Halifax on 131 occasions with Widnes winning 72 matches, compared to Halifax’s 53. The remaining 6 games resulted in draws.
- 10th September 2006 Widnes beat Halifax 76-34 in a 110 point thriller. In the last 7 matches Widnes have exactly scored 110 points.
- Ryan Ince, David Hulme and Paul Dixon (Halifax) all share the most tries scored in the fixture with 8 each. Ryan Ince did it in 6 appearances, Paul Dixon in 10 appearances, and David Hulme in 16 appearances.
- David Hulme has played in the fixture on 16 occasions, more than any other player. Brother Paul Hulme and Mike O’Neil are a close second with 14 appearances each.
