We’ll keep things simple, says Betts
● WIDNES boss Denis Betts is challenging his players to attack the Easter double header of fixtures with gusto.
The Vikings are likely to go into both games over the holiday period as underdogs.
On Good Friday, they travel to face an improving Warrington team at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having already lost their home fixture to the Wolves six weeks ago.
Then, on Easter Monday, top-of-the-table St Helens come to Halton Stadium looking to continue their flying start to the season.
Betts admits the Easter fixtures can cause some headaches in terms of team selection, so this time around he’s opting to keep it simple.
He said: “I’ve done it every way.
“I’ve tried to be really smart and been bitten. I’ve tried to be as cautious as possible and been bitten.
“You have to really go after Friday’s game; it’s a local derby and it’s massive. We have to load our team up and try to win that game.
“Then we have to count our heads and see where we are!
“All the best laid plans can be changed in a 10-minute period.
“Two years ago, we were six wins from seven going into Easter. On Good Friday, we were 10-0 up at Warrington and we lost Stef Marsh, Eamon O’Carroll and Lloyd White to injuries.
“We ended up losing the game by 10 points and then lost against St Helens by a point on the Monday with a group of young kids.
“We’ll see where we are after Friday and pick the strongest possible side to play St Helens.
“If you can get some points out of Easter, you can really put a marker down for the next three or four weeks.”
Second rower Matt Whitley picked up a knee injury in the 24-16 win over Salford last Thursday, which looks set to keep him on the sidelines for five weeks.
Kiwi forward Hep Cahill also has a knee problem, sustained in training, which will keep him out for a similar period.
However, Welsh international prop Gil Dudson should be ready for his first outing of the campaign with fellow front-rower Alex Gerrard likely to be back also.
Betts added: “It’s a tough one for Matt Whitley. It’s a loss to us as a team because he’s been playing really well.
“Sam Wilde has been dying to get a start in the back row and he’ll slot straight into the spot left by Matt.
“Macgraff Leuluai and Stanton Albert played for North Wales Crusaders last week so they’re up for selection as well.
“It’s about finding those players some game-time over this weekend but not putting them all together.
“Lloyd White’s probably the one who’s the hardest to call.”
Friday, March 29, 2013 SECOND row forward Dave Allen made his 100th appearance for his hometown club in a victory against local rivals Warrington in which converted tries from Patrick Ah Van and Rhys Hanbury gave Widnes a 12-6 interval lead.
The Wolves fought back to grab an 18-12 advantage before winger Paddy Flynn’s try enabled Ah Van to level matters at 18-18 with the conversion.
The Vikings added further touchdowns from Hanbury and Lloyd White with Ah Van finishing with a total of seven goals in a 38-22 win. ● ‘WIDNES VIKINGS - On This Day’, available now at £9.99 from the Vikings Superstore.