WARRINGTON Wolves lead Widnes Vikings 20-12 at half time in today’s festive friendly at the Select Security Stadium.

Matty Russell marked his Wolves debut with a try in the fourth minute, benefiting from a Ben Currie offload inches from the Widnes try line. Gareth O’Brien converted for 0-6.

And Russell was involved in the build-up in combination with O’Brien and Rhys Evans as Kevin Penny celebrated his return to the club with an 11th-minute try to push Wolves’ advantage to 10-0.

Vikings gained repeat sets in the Warrington half and made the possession count when Danny Craven scooped up Brad Dwyer’s spill and hared home from 35 metres, with Danny Tickle landing his first conversion in Widnes colours to cut the gap to four points after 24 minutes.

Successive penalties put Denis Betts’ side in position to strike again and Tom Gilmore’s inside pass allowed Willie Isa to crash over from short range. Tickle’s extras put Vikings in front 12-10 after 28 minutes.

After a Vikings knock on though, Wolves were soon back in the lead.

Another Currie offload allowed Ryan Atkins to put Gene Ormsby over in the left corner but O’Brien was wide with the conversion, leaving Tony Smith’s team 14-12 ahead after 31 minutes.

A dabbed kick from Dwyer after his dart from dummy half fell perfectly for Atkins to regather on the run and charge home in the 38th minute. O’Brien’s goal stretched Wolves’ lead to 20-12 at the break.