CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP
WIDNES VIKINGS coach Allan Coleman says halfback Joe Lyons "lives and breathes" his hometown club.
The 27-year-old has penned a two-year contract extension, giving him the chance to bounce back from an injury-affected campaign to cement a regular spot in the wake of Dec Patton's departure as Widnes try to improve after missing out on this year's play-offs.
Former Warrington star Patton, signed from Featherstone for this season and recruited by North Wales Crusaders for next, is among five players who aren't being retained.
Second rower Rhodri Lloyd and winger Rhys Williams are retiring, while props Gavin Bennion and Brett Bailey haven't been offered new deals.
The club is in talks over contract extensions with backrowers Lewis Hall and Finlay Irwin as well as Ben Condon, the versatile Australian forward who is being linked with finally joining Leigh after a planned move there for this campaign broke down.
Lyons, who came through the old Widnes Academy system and made his debut in 2018, was limited to 15 appearances this year by an ankle injury.