Sunday 13 August 2017 17:28, UK
Winger Corey Thompson scored two second-half tries as Widnes defeated Halifax 36-12 to put a first win towards their bid for Betfred Super League survival.
Thompson's double came as part of the Vikings' seven-try victory over their Kingstone Press Championship hosts, who have now lost both Middle 8s fixtures.
Denis Betts' side arrived at the Shay on the back of a five-game losing streak, including an opening qualifiers defeat to Warrington.
But apart from a brief spell midway through the second period, they always looked comfortable in pursuit of their first triumph since beating Leigh on June 22.
Hooker Lloyd White finished with 12 points from a try and four goals while Halifax winger Ben Heaton has now scored six tries in two losing efforts.
Before kick-off, a minute's silence was held in memory of Halifax's late Great Britain Test forward Ken Roberts, who also served Swinton, Bradford, Rochdale and Salford.
And the home fans remained quiet for most of the opening period thanks to a professional performance from the Super League visitors.
A two-try burst eight minutes before half-time put Widnes on the way to a vital victory.
They already led from an eighth-minute try by former England centre Chris Bridge and the first of White's goals.
Halifax rarely threatened to get back on terms before White finished off Joe Mellor's half break after 32 minutes.
And Widnes, unbeaten in all competitions against their hosts since 2011, struck a telling blow six minutes later.
Despite appeals for obstruction in the build-up, referee Gareth Hewer spotted nothing amiss and Charly Runciman accepted Rhys Hanbury's pass to touch down at the corner.
Widnes were already halfway to the two points and when Wests Tigers-bound Thompson touched down twice in four minutes, Vikings looked home and dry.
White missed both conversion attempts but Widnes led 26-0.
However, Halifax stayed in the contest thanks to Heaton's latest Middle 8s try, which saw him intercept Hanbury's pass and race away.
The big winger doubled his tally on the hour from Mikey Sio's offload and Ste Tyrer landed his second conversion to cut Halifax's deficit to 26-12.
The top-flight side were winded but Fax could not continue with their comeback. Joe Mellor's try six minutes from time clinched two points ahead of next Sunday's visit of Featherstone.
Widnes were not finished, though, and added a seventh try through half-back Danny Craven to put an unflattering look on the scoreboard from a Halifax perspective.
