JOE Mellor and Corey Thompson crossed for a brace of tries apiece as Widnes went back to the top of the Super League table with a 30-16 win over Hull Kingston Rovers.

It was by no means a vintage performance from the Vikings against a spirited Rovers side, but they got the job done.

The visitors struggled to cope with a potent right-hand side attack with Mellor the tormentor-in-chief.

Widnes made just one change from the 17 that triumphed at Huddersfield five days earlier with Connor Farrell coming in on the bench for Aaron Heremaia.

The Vikings start was inauspicious with Gil Dudson losing the ball on the first drive.

Rovers forced several repeat sets on the Widnes line with some intelligent kicking and got the try they deserved when stand-off Maurice Blair crashed over for a converted try.

Having finally established a bit of field-position, the Vikings hit back when Rhys Hanbury took Corey Thompson's return pass to score wide out and the fullback added a superb touchline goal.

Mellor's first try on 23 minutes was an absolute cracker. Receiving the ball 40 metres out, he sliced through the Rovers line before burning off fullback Ben Cockayne to score.

It seemed Widnes were getting on top but a fine Thomas Minns try regained the lead for the visitors at 12-10.

The last ten minutes of the half belonged to the Vikings.

Mellor sent Chris Dean clear and backed up to take the return pass before sauntering under the posts.

Almost immediately, the home side went in again with Chris Bridge sending Thompson over and Hanbury adding the extras to give his side a 22-12 interval lead.

Thompson scored his second just after half-time from another superb handling move to make it 28-12.

Credit to Rovers, they dug in and hit back with a try from winger Ryan Shaw but Widnes were in no mood to lose this one.

The only score of a scrappy last quarter was a Hanbury penalty goal. Widnes: Hanbury; Thompson, Bridge, Runciman, Marsh; Mellor, Brown; O'Carroll, White, Dudson, Dean, Houston, Cahill. Subs: Whitley, Manuokafoa, Leuluai, Farrell.

Hull KR: Cockayne; Sio, Salter, Thornley, Shaw; Marsh, Blair; Walker, Lawler, Tilse, Clarkson, Greenwood, Allgood. Subs: Holker, Mulhern, Minns, Moran.

Half-Time: 22-12 Referee: G Hewer Attendance: 5,013