Widnes spent almost the whole of the second half camped in the Carlisle quarter of the field but were unable to find a way through the league’s meanest defence.

The torrential rain and hailstone before the game had left standing water on the pitch, but the poor conditions failed to spoil, what was in the end, an absorbing contest.

In the first half, Kevin Leadbetter had given Widnes the lead with a penalty but Carlisle quickly replied with a couple of tries before Gareth Riley strolled in at the corner for the home team.

Scrum half Hughes increased the visitors lead with an individual effort converted by Weightman before Jonny Lowe got one back for Widnes just before the break.

In the second half, Carlisle extended their lead with a penalty after 46 minutes before going on to absorb a huge amount of pressure on their own line. And, then in almost a final act of defiance, the Cumbrian team were able to make their way up field to score a converted try and a late penalty to wrap up the victory.