YOUNG half-back Tom Gilmore was the star of the show as Widnes picked up their first win in six matches with a 29-22 triumph over Catalans Dragons.

Gilmore scored a try, kicked an important drop-goal and was at the fulcrum of many of the Vikings' best attacking moves.

It certainly wasn't plain sailing for Denis Betts' men against a Dragons side that, judging by the way they started the game, clearly came with victoiry in mind.

The first 15 minutes may have seemed like deja-vu to Widnes fans who were at Castleford the week before. Despite enjoying the better of the early territory, the Vikings found themselves 12-0 down.

The Dragons first try came as they kept the ball alive on a 'free play' and a cross-kick from second row Elliott Whitehead found Ben Pomeroy in space near the Widnes line and he handed the ball on for Louis Anderson to touch down.

Scott Dureau added the extras and was on target again when Whitehead ghosted his way through some poor defensive efforts.

Denis Betts' men hit back on 16 minutes when Rhys Hanbury's cut-out pass found Patrick Ah Van who managed to clamber over the top of his opposite number to slam the ball down by the corner flag.

Stefan Marsh goaled superbly from the touchline to make it 12-6.

On 27 minutes, the Vikings put themselves on level terms when Gilmore's attempted chip over the defence ricocheted back into his hands and he scampered over from 15 metres for an opportunist score.

Just before the interval Widnes hit the front for the first time and in some style.

The ball was moved smartly to the right and when Chris Dean put winger Paddy Flynn away he showed tremendous power and determination to race in at the corner, brushing off challengers on the way.

Marsh added another fine goal to give his side an 18-12 half-time lead.

The start of the second period was a cagey affair but importantly, it was the Vikings who struck next.

There was still plenty to do when Flynn took Hanbury's pass 10 metres out but he showed great strength to hold off the cover for his second try of the afternoon.

Catalans attacks were now few and far between and Widnes nudged themselves two points further ahead when Gilmore slotted a penalty after a ball steal on Danny Galea.

Disastrously, the Dragons kicked the restart out on the full and Gilmore popped over a simple drop goal at the end of the next set to make it 25-12.

On 71 minutes a Hanbury break up the middle took the ball into the Catalans '20' and Gilmore showed great vision and skill to land a cross-kick in the hands of Ah Van who scored with ease.

At 29-12 the game was up but credit to the visitors who continued playing right to the end. Their reward was late tries to Whitehead and Morgan Escare which narrowed the gap to 29-22.

But after five consecutive defeats, Widnes were just happy to take the two league points.

Widnes: Hanbury; Flynn, Marsh, Dean, Ah Van; Gilmore, Mellor; O'Carroll, Heremaia, Dudson, Clarkson, Galea, Cahill. Subs: Isa, Leuluai, Gerrard, Manokafoa.

Catalans: Escare; Inu, Gigot, Pomeroy, Sigismeau; Albert, Dureau; Lima, Henderson, Casty, Whitehead, Anderson, Baitieri. Subs: Mounis, Garcia, Bousquet, Margalet.

Half-Time: 18-12. Referee: R Hicks. Attendance: 4,822.