Widnes Vikings 46 Swinton Lions 10, match report

Deon Cross got over the whitewash twice and the six other tries scored were shared through the team as the 46-10 outcome left Swinton as the only remaining side without a league win this year and rooted at the bottom of the table.

All pictures by Richard Walker

Widnes, who moved up to ninth ahead of their meeting with high-flying Toulouse Olympique on Sunday, did not have things all their own way early on though.

They did not get on the scoreboard until the 27th minute and the three converted tries before the interval gave a false reading as to how competitive the first half had been.

Vikings' defence needed to remain strong for long periods to hold out on their own line.

Deane Meadows spilled the ball with the try line begging though in the best of Swinton's chances, while at the other end Jack Owens touched down a few moments later but he was adjudged to have done so by double movement and the score was ruled out.

The game turned on the final 13 minutes of the half.

After forcing a repeat set, Cross accepted Brad O'Neill's pass to go over in the corner and Ste Tyrer landed the first of his seven conversions from eight attempts.

Kenny Baker doubled the lead after gathering in Matty Smith's high kick and O’Neill scurried over from dummy half.

Vikings needed to avoid Swinton getting a foothold in the game at the start of the second half and they achieved this by notching their fourth try in the 45th minute.

Owens smartly flicked on a pass for Tyrer to walk over, though the centre missed his only shot at goal of the afternoon.

Not long later Ellis Robson, on loan from Warrington Wolves, got the touch to a Smith grubber as the lead was extended to 28-0.

Nico Rizzelli went over in the corner to finally break Widnes' resolve in defence but only in Swinton's third successive set camped on the line.

It was back to normal service when Shane Grady powered over the line from short range and Adam Lawton's score brought up the 40 points.

Cross pocketed his second from a Joe Edge pass to wrap up Widnes' scoring 10 minutes from time.

Mike Butt grounded Jack Hansen’s grubber for the game's final try.

Vikings: Jack Owens, Jayden Hatton, Ste Tyrer, Joe Edge, Deon Cross, Joe Lyons, Matty Smith, Owen Farnworth, Brad O’Neill, Kenny Baker, Shane Grady, Ellis Robson, Paul Clough. Subs: Adam Lawton, Calum O’Neill, Lewis Else, Will Tilleke.

Lions: Geronimo Doyle, Mike Butt, Mitch Cox, Luis Roberts, Nico Rizzelli, Nick Gregson, Jack Hansen, Louis Brogan, Paul Nash, Sam Luckley, Rhodri Lloyd, Deane Meadows, Will Hope. Subs: Billy Brickhill, Sam Brooks, Tom Spencer, Cobi Green.