Vikings head to seaside in cup

Dec 6 2007 by Alex Turner, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE Vikings must start planning for a return to Blackpool to begin their defence of the Northern Rail Cup after the 2008 fixtures were announced.

They visit the Panthers, who play at Fylde RUFC, on Sunday, February 3, in their opening Group Six match.

However, it does highlight the gap between Super League and Co-operative National League One.

While the Vikings start their season at Blackpool, six days later their Grand Final conquerors Castleford welcome Catalan Dragons in round one of Super League.

Coach Steve McCormack will get an early idea of how well his new-look squad is gelling when Leigh Centurions, who once again are drawn in the same Northern Rail group, are the first visitors to the Halton Stadium.

However the result should not be critical as the top two teams qualify from the group for the quarter-finals.

National League Two club Barrow Raiders, who came third in 2007, could be a tricky challenge especially as former Widnes prop Mick Cassidy will line up for the Cumbrians.

The six Northern Rail Cup fixtures will be crucial in getting the squad up to speed as the National League fixture list has given the Vikings a very tough start.

They kick-off their league campaign at Batley on Good Friday, March 21, before welcoming Leigh Centurions on Easter Monday.

Whitehaven then visit Halton before Widnes take on two of the league’s new clubs, relegated Salford City Reds and ambitious Celtic Crusaders.

The Vikings will end their 18- match league season with a tough trip to Whitehaven on August 24, before the play-offs begin.

However this year the winners of the Grand Final will not be rewarded with promotion to Super League.

Instead the teams in the top-flight for 2009-11 will be decided by licence applications, and the identity of the successful clubs will be announced in the summer.