Warrington 32-18 Widnes: Two-try Charnley leads fightback on debut

Josh Charnley returned to Super League after a sojourn in rugby union with Sale

Winger Josh Charnley scored two tries on his debut for Warrington to help them to a hard-earned 32-18 Super League victory over derby rivals Widnes.

Charnley claimed two second-half tries as Warrington recovered from an early 10-0 deficit to record their 10th straight win over the Vikings.

Two tries from centre Toby King, a first try for the Wolves from Sitaleki Akauola and a Ben Westwood score added to Charnley's double, while Bryson Goodwin landed four goals.

The Wolves applied all the early pressure but some excellent Widnes' defence managed to keep their line intact in the opening exchanges, despite the home side's early dominance.

And after soaking up all the early pressure, the Vikings struck with their first real attack of the game after 12 minutes, when some crisp passing between Tom Gilmore and Charly Runciman allowed Ed Chamberlain to squeeze over in the left corner.

The creativity of Warrington half-back Tyrone Roberts helped break the Widnes defensive effort

The Widnes' defence continued to be tested but the Wolves could find no way through a determined rearguard and they were once again caught by a sucker punch as the Vikings came away with points after a rare attack.

The Wolves' right edge was again caught out as another Runciman offload left Chamberlain with the tightest of spaces but he somehow managed to touch down. Krisnan Inu landed a fine touchline conversion to give the visitors a 10-0 advantage.

But the Widnes' defensive dam was finally breached as the home side roared back with two tries in three minutes from King.

It took a magical pass from Tyrone Roberts to pierce that defensive effort and allow King to claim first try on 28 minutes. Then, three minutes later, the centre was first to Kevin Brown's grubber kick to claim a quickfire double. Goodwin added one conversion to level matters10-10.

But an Inu penalty from 40 metres edged the Vikings back in front at the end of the half to give Widnes a two-point advantage at half-time.

The Wolves claimed the lead for the first time in the game just a minute after the restart when the Vikings' defence let a Brown kick bounce. Stefan Ratchford and King worked the ball to Charnley and the former Wigan flyer raced over in the corner from 20 metres.

Krisnan Inu had managed to keep Widnes in touch before Warrington pulled clear

Warrington took a stranglehold on the game when they claimed their second try of the half when, on the last tackle, they kept the ball alive and King's kick deflected into the hands of Akauola. There was no stopping the forward on a powerful 20-metre charge to the line.

Charnley added his second of the game on the hour-mark with another accomplished finish in the corner and Westwood crossed 12 minutes from time to secure the win.

Widnes had the last say through Rhys Hanbury's late try proved just a consolation score for the visitors.