Panthers peg back hosts in DCBL thriller

Vikings forced to settle for share of spoils in Halifax clash

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WIDNES Vikings were forced to settle for a share of the points after an enthralling 24-24 draw with Halifax Panthers at the DCBL Stadium.

Allan Coleman's side had led by as many as 16 points, but a spirited second-half fightback from the Panthers ensured the spoils were shared in a dramatic encounter.

Following a tightly contested opening 20 minutes, the Vikings struck first as Jack Owens dummied his way through the defence to score from a scrum.

A fantastic break by Rhys Williams then pushed Widnes deep into opposition territory. On the following play, the ball was swept from left to right and eventually found AJ Towse, who raced in for his first try in a Vikings shirt.