THE Vikings went down to their second loss of the Easter weekend as St Helens ran out 20-12 winners at the Select Security Stadium.

In many facets of the game, Widnes were a match for their opponents but they simply invited Saints to attack their line too often by losing possession.

Denis Betts' depleted side threatened a late rally but in the end they could never quite get within touching distance.

Second row Joe Greenwood opened the scoring for St Helens on four minutes when he stretched over from close range with Luke Walsh adding the extras.

The Vikings managed to establish some field position and turned it into points when Rhys Hanbury, Widnes's best player on the day, sneaked over from dummy-half and converted his own score to make it 6-6.

Widnes were there own worst enemies with handling errors gifting the opposition plenty of ball and when they got down to the Widnes end, Saints' shape was causing problems for the home defence.

They took advantage as Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook rocketed in and then winger Tommy Makinson wriggled past opposite number Patrick Ah Van to give his side a 16-6 lead.

A couple of chances to reduce the arrears late in the half came to nothing.

Saints increased their lead to 18-8 with a Luke Walsh penalty eight minutes into the second half and the Vikings had to endure a concerted spell of pressure as Saints stormed the home line.

A further penalty goal was all that resulted and Widnes finally managed to mount some meaningful attacks.

Joe Mellor intercepted a Theo Fages pass near his own line and set Corey Thompson free but the winger couldn't outpace the chasing Luke Walsh and his inside pass to Mellor went astray.

On 70 minutes, Hanbury scored his second converted try as he showed good strength to crash over to make it 20-12.

Two minutes later, smart passing to the right saw Chris Dean go over the line but a ball steal prevented him touching the ball down and the pressure from the resulting penalty petered out.

Thompson thought he'd scored a late try for the Vikings but the video referee had other ideas.

Another committed performance by the Vikings but they will be looking to get some of their injured bodies back on the pitch sooner rather than later.

Widnes: Hanbury; Thompson, Dean, Chamberlain, Ah Van; Mellor, Gilmore; O'Carroll, Heremaia, Dudson, Sa, Houston, Cahill. Subs: Leuluai, Whitley, Gerrard, Manuokafoa.

St Helens: McDonnell; Makinson, Peyroux, Dawson, Owens; Fages, Walsh; Savelio, Roby, Walmsley, Greenwood, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Wilkin. Subs: Burns, Amor, Turner, Thompson.

Half-time: 6-16 Referee: R Silverwood Attendance: 9,076