The new Super League season got off to a thrilling start this evening as 14-man Widnes Vikings came from behind to draw 22-22 with Wigan Warriors.
Last season's Grand Final runners-up were ahead within eight minutes when Joel Tomkins went over in the corner for the opening try of the new campaign, although Matty Smith was unable to add the extras.
Widnes almost responded shortly afterwards, but Joe Burgess just about caught Stefan Marsh following a 70-yard chase to deny the Vikings centre.
The video ref then also prevented the hosts from getting on the board before John Bateman and Matty Bowen combined to set up Anthony Gelling, who touched down for Wigan's second try of the night.
The Vikings were left with an uphill battle a little more than a quarter into the game when Josh Charnley was caught with a very high tackle by Patrick Ah Van, who was shown a red card for the hit.
Wigan then extended their lead to 16 points as Gelling doubled his personal tally for the night on his 50th appearance following some more good work by Bateman in the build-up.
The Warriors gifted Widnes a route back into the match, however, as Burgess spilt the ball, allowing Joe Mellor to collect and race in for his side's first score of the game.
The Vikings then reduced the deficit to just four points as Mellor turned provider, sending a kick through for Rhys Hanbury to collect and score.
Tomkins thought he had scored his second try of the night, only to be denied by the TMO, but Wigan did touch down moments later as Burgess went over in the corner, while Smith added the extras.
There was still time for the hosts to launch another fightback, however, and Cameron Phelps got the wheels in motion by finishing off a slick move with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Crucially, Marsh missed the subsequent conversion, but Widnes set up a tense finale with their fourth try of the night in the 77th minute when Chris Dean barged over from close range, and this time Marsh was able to add the two points to level things up.
The teams were then levelled up numerically in the final minute of the game as Smith was sent to the sin bin for dissent, but neither side could find a winning score as the match ended all square.
Barney Corkhill
