Vikings coach Denis Betts was taking no chances as he named a strong line-up to open his sides Challenge Cup campaign against the part-timers, Coventry Bears. With Widnes third bottom in Super League and Coventry third bottom in League One, twenty-seven places below them, it was likely to be one way traffic.

But this was the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup and Widnes will have been keen for a quick start and points on the board to settle any nerves.

The Bears would have been hoping for anything other than a total embarrassment.

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