Betts disappointed with Widnes showing

Widnes coach Denis Betts says he was disappointed with the Vikings’ second half performance in their 18-18 draw with Halifax.

The Vikings took a 14-0 into half-time but a late rally from their Championship opponents tied the game in the final minute.

Halifax scored three tries in the final 12 minutes of the friendly.

“I’m disappointed. I would have been disappointed at 18-12. I’m disappointed with those two tries,” Betts said after the game.

“Their second try was like playing American Football. I thought, can anybody else see what I’m seeing?

“We won the game twice and gave it away. It turned in to a bit of a farce at the end, we lost all control.”

“They were big and strong, kept going, brought some energy and we kept making mistakes. They got energy off decisions that went their way.”

Widnes were beaten 40-0 by Warrington in their only other friendly so far.

Despite the draw against Halifax, Betts was pleased with the challenge for his team.

“As an exercise, as a pre-season game, Halifax were a real good test. What we got today was a real good workout,” he said.

“Nobody wins anything and nobody loses anything today. We gained some experience, and next week will be another stern test.”