Widnes Vikings V St Helens Super League 2016

Keiron Cunningham's St Helens got back to winning ways as they beat Widnes Vikings 20-12.

Saints were under pressure after being humbled by Wigan Warriors, but the visitors did not have to over exert themselves against a Vikings side who had topped First Utility Super League heading into the Easter period.

The Vikings, missing some key players, lacked energy and without skipper Kevin Brown were rudderless at times.

Saints took an early lead through Joe Greenwood, only for in-form full-back Rhys Hanbury to reply for the Vikings with a burrow in from a few yards out.

Saints skipper Jon Wikin delivered a sublime short pass to Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook to burst onto and grab the visitor's second, and Tommy Makinson stretched Saints' advantage further as he dived in.




Hanbury gave Widnes a lifeline with nine minutes remaining as he sped over for his brace and his conversion put the Vikings within eight points, but it was too little too late.

After the game Cunningham said: "We knew we would get a response [following our performance on Good Friday].

“We put the cart in front of the horse this time. We played for the full 80 minutes, we are a good side and we played some great stuff.

"It’s tough over the Easter period – I know as I’ve done it for years, so it’s important that we got the win.

"Joe Greenwoood was immense and the whole middle was impressive today. Jordan Turner looks good as well in the centre of the field, and for a centre to come in a do that, it’s not easy.




"Widnes defended well, we had to work hard and we’ve came here knowing what we needed to do and we got the job done.

"Every point is vital now – especially when the League table is upside down. Results happen when we perform well. We’ve took a lot of flack from a lot of people, but we are still here and fighting."

Widnes coach Denis Betts added: “I just said to the players that it’s a double edge sword.

“We defended well, especially the second half, but we let ourselves down with the ball.

“We put so much into our defence and we had a bad day with the ball.



MONDAY 28TH MARCH 2016
15:00 - ROUND: 8
12 : 20 FT
( 6 - 16 HT )
ATTENDANCE : 9,076
OFFICIAL: R SILVERWOOD
VENUE: SELECT SECURITY STADIUM HALTON
SCORERS

WIDNES VIKINGS
TRIES
RHYS HANBURY 2,
GOALS
RHYS HANBURY 2,
DROP GOALS
ST HELENS
TRIES
JOE GREENWOOD, LOUIE MCCARTHY-SCARSBROOK, TOMMY MAKINSON,
GOALS
LUKE WALSH 4,