Widnes beat St Helens for the first time in 19 years to keep their playoff hopes well and truly alive, the score eventually ending up 28-35.

Both teams came into the match off the back of narrow defeats, and have had similar spells of misfortune with injury of late, but it was the Vikings who took the spoils in a highly physical encounter at Langtree Park.

Young utility back, Jack Owens, took an individual points haul of 14, with the final score flattering St Helens somewhat after a courageous and confident display by the away team which ensured that the bragging rights went home with the many travelling Vikings fans.

However, things started less than comfortably for Betts’ men, with an early penalty for a high tackle on prop Josh Perry leading to dangerous field position, eventually leading in a well worked offload from Tony Puletua to Luke Thompson, who ran over for the first points of the evening within the first three minutes, Makinson slotting over the conversion from close range.

Widnes refused to let the setback discourage them though, when five minutes later a penalty 20 metres out allowed captain Kevin Brown to break from a quick play the ball, passing inside to a waiting Steve Pickersgill, who took 3 defenders with him on his way to stretching over next to the post. Jack Owens getting his first two pointer of the day, the scores level at 6-6.

Saints replied soon after, with a kick from the Widnes 25 by Nathan Ashe reached Anthony Laffranchi, who found himself with no defenders around him to put the ball down under the posts, Makinson again adding the extras.

A disallowed try dented the Saints’ confidence, and this was exploited on the Vikings’ next trip to the Saints half. Jack Owens breaking 20 metres from the line, pacing Joe Greenwood to score, then converting his own try. 12-12.

The away side gained some good momentum thereafter, and after setting up camp on the Saints line for a number of sets, and forcing multiple goal line drop outs, it was Jon Clarke who scampered over from dummy half, Owens kicking from under the posts.

A sense of belief was evident from players and fans alike, and the shaken Saints were undone almost immediately, Jon Clarke and Joe Mellor being instrumental in the break that sent newly returning centre diving across the line in the corner. The two points being missed left a 10 point game with four minutes left of the half, 12-22.

Denis Betts probably would’ve take that as the half time score, but his players had a different plan in mind, Marsh this time the architect off the back of a Dave Allen offload. Breaking the tackle of the pursuing Greenwood, the hard running centre threw the pass back inside for the supporting Jack Owens to sprint the remaining 20 yards to the line, celebrating with the Widnes faithful as he dived over. Converting his own try yet again, the Vikings ran in at the half 28-12 up, and looking good for their lead.

As the second half got underway, Nathan Brown’s team talk obviously had an impact on the shell-shocked Saints, as a knock on gave them the field position to show off some quick hands to Ade Gardner, who had a walk in in the corner. Makinson hitting the two pointer.

The away team were looking to bring some calm to the game, kicking for position and completing the sets on numerous occasions, determined not to let their concentration and their lead slip, Clarke, Mellor and Brown all being instrumental.

Forcing the penalty, it was the ever impressive Brown and Mellor partnership that proved vital for the next try, with the Vikings’ captain stabbing the ball through from 15 yards, to find the young half back, who finished the move off. Danny Craven’s conversion, bringing the score to 34-18.

A well worked try from Tony Puletua with just over 10 minutes left added an element of tension to the game, but Widnes were adamant their deserved lead would reap rewards, with Danny Craven knocking over a drop goal from far range on his second attempt.

Widnes may feel slightly disappointed as some ill-discipline lead to a penalty on their own 35, Alex Walmsley scoring under the posts with only two minutes remaining. The scoreline of 35-28 being slightly flattering to the home team perhaps, as Widnes seemed to trump them in every area of the field throughout the game.

Attendance: 11413 Teams: St Helens: Makinson; Gardner, Turner, Greenwood, Percival; Jones, Ashe; Perry, Howarth, Puletua, Laffranchi, Thompson, Wellens.

Replacements: Hohaia, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Manu, Walmsley.

Widnes: Owen; Flynn, Marsh, Phelps, Dean; K Brown, Mellor; Pickersgill, Clarke, O'Carroll, Hock, Winterstein, Allen.

Replacements: Kavanagh, White, Craven, Joseph.

Referee: Robert Hicks