Hull KR 44 Widnes Vikings 18 (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Hull KR 44 Widnes Vikings 18

9:34am Monday 18th February 2013 in Vikings news

DESPITE their best efforts, Widnes couldn't recover from a disastrous opening 40 minutes they went down 44-18 to Hull Kingston Rovers at MS3 Craven Park.

Rovers scored six first half tries without reply with the Vikings seemingly powerless to stop the Hull KR juggernaut once they got on a roll.

Craig Sandercock's men ran harder and tackled harder than their opponents and effectively put the game to bed before Widnes had really got started.

The Vikings travelled to Yorkshire with high expectations but were often their own worst enemy in the first half.

There was no sign of the carnage to come in the early moments.

In fact, Widnes looked like they were getting a decent foothold in the game until the were hit by a sucker punch on seven minutes.

A Rhys Hanbury pass was blocked by a Rovers defender deep in his own half and with the referee ruling play on, winger Omari Caro scooped up the loose ball and made 60 metres before being hauled down by Paddy Flynn.

With the Vikings' defence all at sea, Michael Dobson was on hand to score from the next play.

From there on, the home side never looked back.

Another loose pass from Hanbury was picked up by speedman Caro who showed a clean pair of heels over 70 metres.

With Rovers second row Cory Paterson having a field day carving up the right hand side of Widnes's defence, Widnes just couldn't stem the tide.

Loose-forward Dale Ferguson romped over and Kris Welham made it 22-0 on 23 minutes after Shaun Briscoe had fumbled a Dobson bomb.

Further tries from Graeme Horne and Greg Eden completed a 34-0 first half rout.

It would have been easy for Widnes to throw in the towel in the second half but to their credit they came out and gave it their all.

They were rewarded on 45 minutes when Gareth Hock, on as a substitute, dummied his way over for his first try in Vikings colours.

Several more chances came and went before Rhys Hanbury showed good footwork to pull back another six-pointer to make it 34-12.

Any thoughts of a dramatic comeback were dispelled when centre Chris Heil sliced through the Widnes rearguard and then ex-Viking Craig Hall touched down after a 40 metre run to make it 44-12.

Widnes had the last word when Alex Gerrard showed good strength to burst through from a Hock short ball.

With no game next weekend, Denis Betts men have a fortnight to lick their wounds before taking on Hull at Stobart Stadium Halton.

Hull KR: Eden; Caro, Welham, Heil, D Hodgson; Hall, Dobson; Tuimavave, J Hodgson, Walker, Mika, Paterson, Ferguson. Subs: Paea, Horne, Lovegrove, Carlile.

Widnes: Briscoe; Flynn, Marsh, Dean, Isa; Mellor, Hanbury; Pickersgill, Clarke, O'Carroll, Leuluai, Allen, Cahill. Subs: White, Hock, Joseph, Gerrard.

Referee: T Roby Attendance: 7247