TWO tries apiece from Krisnan Inu and Patrick Ah Van saw Widnes finally bring to an end their 17-game losing run with a 26-12 win over Halifax.

The victory also kept alive the Vikings slender hopes of retaining their Super League place through the Betfred Super Laague Qualifiers.

Widnes boss Francis Cummins stuck with the same seventeen that performed well, albeit in defeat, against Leeds six days earlier.

The only line-up change saw Kiwi prop Charlie Gubb come into the starting side with Jay Chapelhow dropping to the bench.

There was an early scare for the Vikings when the visitors had a try disallowed for offside but they quickly stormed up the other end with the likes of Gubb and Macgraff Leuluai making good yards.

Reward came Widnes’ way when smart passing to the right saw Joe Lyons send Weller Hauraki over with Krisnan Inu adding the goal.

On 14 minutes, the Vikings went in again when they kept the ball alive before Inu proved too strong for the Halifax defence as he bulldozed over wide out to make it 10-0.

It seemed Cummins’ team had taken a grip on proceedings but a series of penalties and errors gave the Yorkshiremen encouragement.

After several near misses Fax hit back when veteran playmaker Scott Murrell’s inside ball allowed James Woodburn-Hall to crash over with ex-Viking Shane Grady’s conversion making it 10-6 at the interval.

The early second half skirmishes were nip and tuck but on 48 minutes Lyons sent Inu away up the right edge and the big centre drew the last defender before putting wing partner Patrick Ah Van in at the right corner. Inu’s fine goal gave Widnes a 16-6 advantage.

On 62 minutes a Liam Finn cross-kick was tapped back by Ah Van and Inu dived in at the flag in spectacular style, again adding a fine goal.

Finn thought he’d created another touchdown but his long floated pass to Owen Buckley was deemed forward.

The Vikings were guilty of over-egging things on several occasions resulting in turnover ball in midfield.

Halifax took advantage with a converted try from left winger James Saltonstall with five minutes remaining to put Widnes fans on edge at 22-12.

But on this occasion the Vikings were able to seal a long-awaited win with a try on the hooter from Ah Van from a Hauraki grubber kick. Relief all round.

Widnes: Mellor; Ah Van, Inu, Runciman; Buckley; Lyons, Finn; Gubb, White, Houston, Hauraki, Hansen, Leuluai. Subs: D Walker, Olbison, J Chapelhow, Wilde.

Halifax: Sharp; Saltonstall, Heaton, Butler, Woodburn-Hall; Murrell, Johnston; Fleming, Kaye, Fairbank, Tangata, Grady, Davies. Subs: Jones, Moore, Cooper, Maher.

Half-Time: 10-6.

Referee: Mr G Hewer.

Attendance: 3,372.