Catalans Dragons cruised to a 32-16 Super League victory over Widnes

Catalans Dragons are up to sixth in the Super League standings after easing to a 32-16 victory over Widnes Vikings in France.

Willie Tonga and Eloi Pellisier scored a pair of tries each for the hosts, who ran in six tries in total against three from Widnes, who are down in 10th place, albeit just two points behind the Dragons.

Catalans had the victory in the bag from an early stage, roaring out of the blocks and scoring three tries inside the opening 12 minutes, former Aussie Test centre Tonga scoring two of them.

Mathias Pala and Pelissier also went over in the first half, as the hosts raced into a 22-0 lead.

Widnes eventually responded and Jack Owens, Stefan Marsh and Alex Gerrard crossed for tries, but another Pelissier try and a Damien Cardace score added the finishing touches to an emphatic home win.

Vikings coach Denis Betts made eight changes after Thursday's 30-10 derby win against Warrington, as he looked towards Friday's clash away to Hull FC.

And in the fifth minute Tonga profited from indecision in the Widnes ranks to claim Ian Henderson's kick-through and score the first try of the game, Thomas Bosc adding the conversion.

Catalans doubled their lead four minutes later when Henderson's pass sent Elliott Whitehead clear and he drew the cover defence before offloading inside to supporting runner Pelissier, who touched down under the posts.

And a third try arrived in the 12th minute when Morgan Escare, back from a one-game suspension, kicked ahead and it took an awful bounce from a Widnes point of view, allowing Tonga to score again.

Scott Dureau and Bosc then combined well to put Pala over at the corner and it was 22-0 to the Dragons after just 22 minutes.

Widnes then had Matt Whitley sent to the sin-bin for a late hit on Scott Dureau but the diminished Vikings team managed to open their acount, Tom Gilmore's wide pass sending Owens in at the right-hand corner.

Owens missed the resulting conversion however and it was 22-4 at the break.

Widnes began the second hald well and it was 22-10 after Marsh powered over and Owens successfully kicked the conversion.

But, just before the hour mark, Pelissier raced over from close range to score his second try of the game.

Having taken over the kicking duties, Dureau added the touchline conversion, and his kick then set up a 62nd-minute try for the in-form Cardace.

Widnes then completed the scoring with 14 minutes left, Phil Joseph putting Gerrard over under the posts, although both sides squandered good chances to add to their score in the closing stages.

The victory completed an excellent Easter period for Catalans, who had secured their first win in five games when they defeated Wakefield Wildcats on Thursday.