Hull hold off Vikings
Hull battled their way to a 32-18 win at Widnes after the Vikings had hinted at a Challenge Cup upset.
Last Updated: 11/05/08 5:47pm
Hull battled their way to a 32-18 win at Widnes after the Vikings had hinted at a Challenge Cup upset.
Willie Manu's 60th-minute try clinched the Airlie Birds' place in the quarter-finals but it was anything but plain sailing for the visitors.
Widnes were showing signs of possibly causing an upset but Manu's blockbusting effort settled things for Peter Sharp's men.
The National League side put in a monumental effort in stifling conditions against their Super League opponents, but they paid for it in the final quarter.
They kept themselves firmly in the contest until the 70th minute, but Hull had enough in their locker to put the game away.
Australian Adam Dykes scored for Hull as early as the seventh minute, but Bob Beswick hit back for Widnes.
Todd Byrne and Michael Burnett replied for the Black and Whites but Lee Paterson kept the Vikings in touch at the end of the first half.
Craig Hall got Hull off to a dream start in the second half but Widnes would not lie down and Rob Draper went over on 54 minutes to give Widnes a flicker of hope.
However, Manu's try settled any jangling Hull nerves and Dykes had the final say late on with a solo effort.
