Widnes Vikings put to the sword by ruthless Warrington Wolves

WIDNES were put to the sword by a ruthless Warrington side which ran out 48-16 winners at the Select Security Stadium.

The Vikings goalline defence, particularly in the first half, was way below the standard required and the Wolves took full advantage.

The visitors also had a fine night with the boot, converting all eight of their tries to add to the misery of the home fans.

Vikings winger Corey Thompson made the first clean break of the game but Warrington were soon on the front foot.

Kurt Gidley opened the scoring on six minutes when he took on the Widnes defensive line from close range and found it wanting. The same player added the extras to make it 6-0.

The lead was doubled four minutes later when Kevin Penny sailed in at the left corner with the Vikings defence notable by its absence.

Widnes gave their fans something to cheer about as Joe Mellor jinked his way under the posts to pull six points back but it proved to be a false dawn.

Joe Westerman crossed for Warrington's third try from a Gidley inside ball and Ben Westwood forced his way over under the posts from first receiver to add another.

Westerman's second try just before the break epitomised the first half as he backed almost apologetically over the line.

Gidley's fifth conversion made it 30-6 to the Wolves.

Out of necessity the Vikings looked to throw the ball around early in the second half and it paid initial dividends as Mellor's superb long pass put Thompson in at the flag to pull four points back.

However, normal service was resumed on 56 minutes when Penny crossed for his second try.

Gidley and Westerman combined to send Stefan Ratchford under the posts to make it 42-10 with Gidley's seventh successful goal shot.

Stefan Marsh sliced through for an opportunist try for the Vikings but it was of little consolation.

Fittingly, it was the Wolves who had the final say as Ratchford backed up a Rhys Evans break to complete a personal brace and added the conversion himself.

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

Warrington: Russell; Johnson, R Evans, Atkins, Penny; Gidley, Ratchford; Hill, Clark, Sims, Hughes, Currie, Westerman. Subs: Westwood, G King, Jullien, Cox.

Referee: R Hicks

Half-time: 6-30

Attendance: 7,441