WIDNES made it three home wins on the run but Rochdale will feel a little hard done to on their journey home having looked far more slicker and comfortable with the ball.

The Wids got over for two tries in the first half both from driving mauls, firstly Adam Watson was driven over followed by Callum Shepherd with Tom Beech kicking one conversion for a 12-0 half time lead.

Rochdale came back at Widnes in the second half kicking three penalty goals as Widnes' discipline let them down.

As the game seemed to be swinging in Rochdale's favour, Widnes' backs finally got their act together moving the ball through the three quarters for Anthony Winterton to touch down, Beech kicked his second conversion. Widnes looked like they were going over for their fourth try only for the last pass to go to ground.

Rochdale reacted quickly hacking the ball 75 yards to score under the posts to leave a nervous last two minutes.

Geoff Cooke was once again selected as the Widnes man of the match. Newcastle travel up from Staffordshire on Sunday for a 2pm kick off.