Danny Tickle relishing Halifax return

Widnes forward Danny Tickle is relishing the prospect of going back to where it all began for him, when the Vikings travel to Halifax on Sunday for their Challenge Cup fourth round clash.

The Manchester-born 30-year-old signed for the West Yorkshire outfit straight out of school and made his Super League debut with the side in 2000, aged just 17. He went on to make 45 appearances and score 244 points for Halifax before sealing a move to Wigan in June 2002.

Now, 12 years on from leaving Halifax, he is preparing to return to the club that gave him his big break, and knows that Widnes will have a task on their hands to progress to the next round.

“I have got really fond memories of my time at Halifax,” the 31-year-old told League Express.

“To go back there where all began will be very exciting for me and I’m really looking forward to it.

“The Challenge Cup is always exciting, and facing Halifax will be no different. They have been playing well and have a great coach in Karl Harrison.”

Tickle joined Widnes ahead of this season from Hull FC and is delighted with the start his new club has made. Fourth in the league, having won five of their opening six matches, Tickle is confident the Vikings’ success will continue.

“Scoring points last season wasn’t to much of an issue. With Rhys Hanbury at fullback the ball was getting out to our edges quite a lot and that creates plenty of chances. That is the same this year as well but we have put more emphasis on our defence,” he revealed.

Meanwhile Widnes have confirmed that their Round Two clash at Wigan Warriors will take place on Wednesday June 18.

The match had to be postponed because of Wigan’s commitments in the World Club Challenge. Because of this fixture, the home match against Hull FC, originally scheduled for Sunday, June 15, has been move forward two days and will now take place on Friday, June 13 at 8.00pm.

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