A DISJOINTED performance saw Widnes go down 28-18 to Huddersfield Giants in a bottom of the table clash at John Smith’s Stadium.

There were periods in the game when the Vikings looked to have the beating of their opponents but time and again errors and penalties undid the good work.

Widnes head coach Denis Betts brought centre Charly Runciman, hooker Aaron Heremaia and prop forward Wellington Albert back into his game-day 17 with Ed Chamberlain, Jordan Johnstone and Jay Chapelhow dropping out from the side that lost to Wigan seven days earlier.

The Vikings tried a trick play from the kick-off but Patrick Ah Van’s pass to send Matt Whitey away was deemed forward, The Giants had an early try disallowed after they were offside from a Jordan Turner kick and Ryan Ince went close at the other end but was bundled into touch.

Widnes had another chance from a Tom Gilmore cross-kick but the home side managed to scramble the ball dead.

The first score of the game came on 13 minutes when Giants debutant centre Jake Wardle leapt high to claim a cross-field bomb and touchdown.

The game became the proverbial arm-wrestle with both sides spurning half-chances but on 27 minutes smart work at dummy-half from Heremaia allowed Danny Craven to scythe though from close range for a try converted by Gilmore.

Widnes’s major issue was indiscipline as they gave away penalties which allowed the Giants to escape their own end.

It was one such indiscretion that gave the opposition field position from which centre Sam Wood stretched over for a six-pointer to make it 10-6 to the Giants at half-time.

Huddersfield came out for the second half with renewed vigour and Wardle got his second try, a carbon copy of his first, as he outjumped the Widnes defence with Wood’s goal giving his side a 16-6 advantage.

It took the Vikings a while to regather their composure but they hit back on 53 minutes with Heremaia again pivotal as his pass allowed Ince to stretch over in the right corner. Gilmore’s superb goal made it 16-12.

However, a couple of repeat sets on the Widnes line enabled powerful forward Ukuma Ta’ai to force his way over the whitewash to re-establish a ten point lead for his team with 18 minutes remaining.

Huddersfield were reduced to twelve men when Wardle was sin-binned for a tip-tackle on Rhys Hanbury and the Vikings took immediate advantage when Gilmore crossed to the right of the posts and added the extras to make it 22-18 with ten minutes left on the clock.

Unfortunately, a mistake on the next set conceded possession and 12-man Huddersfield showed good enterprise for Alex Mellor to cross with the goal making it 28-18.

Widnes thought they had hit back but Patrick Ah Van was adjudged to have stepped in touch as he went for the line.

A disappointing night for the travelling Vikings supporters.

Widnes: Hanbury; Ince, Keinhorst, Runciman, Ah Van; Craven, Gilmore; Gerrard, White, Burke, Whitley, Wilde, Olbison. Subs: Leuluai, Heremaia, Cahill, W Albert.

Huddersfield: Rankin; McIntosh, Wood, Wardle, Mamo; Turner, Russell; Ikahihifo, O’Brien, Clough, Mellor, Ta’ai, Hinchcliffe. Subs: Leeming, Lawrence, Smith, English.

Half-time: 10-6 Referee: Mr L Moore Attendance: 4,645