VIKINGS boss Steve McCormack believes his men face one of their toughest tests of the campaign when they travel to Halifax this week.

Widnes make the trip to Yorkshire on Thursday, kick off 7.30pm, on the back of a club-record points tally following their 90-4 demolition of National League One strugglers Doncaster Lakers.

However, McCormack believes Halifax represent an entirely different proposition.

"I think the game will be one of the toughest we'll have all year," he said. "They have had a slow start, but that has been the case for the last few seasons. They build up momentum later.

"They are full of ex-Super League players and exciting youngsters. It will be the biggest test since Castleford."

However, McCormack admitted his side was brimming with confidence after their biggest ever win margin.

"I think scoring that many points and conceding that little was a fantastic achievement," he said. "If someone gave us that score before kick off we would have taken it."

And he saved special praise for Gavin Dodd, who spearheaded Vikings' attack with a record-breaking 38-point haul against the woeful Lakers.

"To think that Doddy has surpassed the likes of Andy Currier and Jonathan Davies is a great achievement - and fully deserved," he said.

And McCormack is confident the game will stand despite fears the points will be wiped out if troubledDoncaster fold.

"I have spoken to their coach and he told me they should be going until the end of the season," he added. "Points difference will be important this year, but it is out of our hands. If it happens, it happens."

Vikings will be without Dean Gaskell (foot) this week, but welcome back Paul Noone, Mick Nanyn and Toa Kohe-Love.