NATHAN Connell played a starring role as Widnes Vikings made it five successive league wins on Sunday.
The Vikings full-back crossed for two tries as well as assisting in others as the hosts survived a tense finale to a topsy-turvy contest.
As a result, Allan Coleman’s side stay second in the Championship with their only defeat so far coming against unbeaten table toppers London Broncos.
Five Widnes missed conversions from seven attempts meant the scoreline was tighter than it might have been.
Hunslet, with only one league win to their name, proved to be stubborn to shake off.
And it was the West Yorkshire side who struck first as Leeds Rhinos loanee Ben Littlewood took a pass to stride in.
The lead was short-lived, however, as Jordan Johnstone responded for Widnes, finishing off a perfectly timed short ball from Matty Fozard.
Vikings extended their advantage in the next set when Mike Butt burst down the left edge before finding Max Roberts in support to cross.
Hunslet hit back with a sucker punch from a Widnes scrum.
A loose pass from Jordan Abdull was scooped up by the visitors and eventually worked out to Charlie Graham, who raced the length of the field to score.
In a back-and-forth first half, Ryan Ince restored a six-point lead for Vikings with a finish in the corner, but Hunslet responded once more as Harvey Hallas crossed to level matters.
Just as it looked like the sides would head into the break locked together, Jumah Sambou showed great strength to power through a tackle attempt and flick an offload to the impressive Connell, who went over to give his side the lead at half-time.
The visitors started the second half brightly and went back in front when Myles Harrop climbed highest to collect a Lee Gaskell kick.
Widnes responded once again, with Connell showing superb footwork to dance his way through the Hunslet defence for his second try of the afternoon.
Connell continued to torment the Hunslet backline shortly after, breaking clear before sending Roberts over for his second of the game.
A late try from Butt appeared to have wrapped things up, but Graham grabbed his second soon after to set up a tense finale.
Widnes Vikings: Connell, Ince, Fleming, Sambou, Butt, Abdull, Gilmore, Murray, Fozard, Chapelhow, Roberts, Langtree, Johnstone.Subs: Owens, Hall, Lawton, Bibby, Houghton (18th)
Tries: Connell x2, Roberts x2, Johnstone, Ince, Butt
Goals: Abdull, Gilmore
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