WINGER Stefan Marsh crossed for a hat-trick as Widnes put Hull to the sword 46-6 at the Select Security Stadium.

It was another superb display of attacking rugby league by the Vikings as they ran in nine tries in total to cement their place at the top of the Super League table.

It was particularly remarkable considering Hull had looked like they might overpower Widnes in the early stages.

The Vikings were dealt an early blow when centre Chris Bridge left the field injured with just three minutes on the clock.

Hull made easy metres with some big carries and took the lead when Frank 'the tank' Pritchard rumbled over from close range with Marc Sneyd converting.

Winger Fetuli Talanoa should have increased the visitors lead but dropped the ball as he dived in at the flag.

Hull were out of luck again on 13 minutes when the video referee intervened to disallow a Sika Manu score and the Vikings hit back immediately. Chris Dean surged towards the line and found the fast-supporting Joe Mellor who touched down for a six-pointer to level things up.

Denis Betts' men hit the front when, after a long break up the left by Marsh, Kevin Brown's pinpoint cross-kick found right winger Corey Thompson in acres of space to touch down.

Thompson crossed for his second when he brilliantly snatched a Mellor kick out of the air to give his side a 14-6 lead.

On 32 minutes, another Brown kick was fielded by Charly Runciman who offloaded to Chris Houston and he in turn sent Marsh scurrying over.

Two minutes before half-time, Houston was once again a key figure as he sent Hanbury over with a lovely one-handed pass with the fullback's conversion giving Widnes a 24-6 interval lead.

It was Widnes's turn to fall foul of the 'man in the van' when Runciman had a try correctly chalked off at the start of the second period.

However, it wasn't long before the Vikings registered a legal score when Brown sold a sucker dummy before coasting in.

On 52 minutes a long pass from Brown allowed Marsh to squeeze over for his second try with Hanbury's superb goal making it 36-6.

Impressive second rower Matt Whitley got his name on the scoresheet as danced through some soft defence to breach the 40-point barrier.

Marsh's hat-trick came after a bewildering handling move which saw the ball sweep from left to right and back again before the ex-Wigan man finished off.

All-in-all not a bad night if you're a Widnes fan.

Widnes: Hanbury; Thompson, Bridge, Runciman, Marsh; Mellor, Brown; O'Carroll, White, Manuokafoa, Dean, Houston, Cahill. Subs: Heremaia, Whitley, Leuluai, Gerrard.

Hull: Shaul; Michaels, Logan, Tuimavave, Talanoa; Abdul, Sneyd; Taylor, Houghton, Bowden, Manu, Pritchard, Ellis. Subs: Thompson, Minichiello, Washbrook, Watts.

Half-time: 24-6 Referee: R Silverwood Attendance: 4,753