Widnes Vikings 46 Hull FC 6 - Dismay for stunned Airlie Birds after Vikings run amok in nine-try rout

Left winger Stefan Marsh scored a hat-trick and Australian right winger Corey Thompson grabbed two tries to take his tally to 10 in just six appearances in England in a 46-6 victory that condemned the Black and Whites to a third successive defeat.

There was little hint of the one-way traffic to come when the visitors made a lively start and second-rower Frank Pritchard took Danny Houghton’s pass from dummy half to crash over for his first try in Super League on his first start for the club.

Marc Sneyd’s goal made it 6-0 and Hull could have been three tries ahead but for the video referee disallowing scores by winger Fetuli Talanoa and second-rower Sika Manu, and it was against the run of play when the Vikings drew level on 14 minutes through half-back Joe Mellor, with Rhys Hanbury kicking the first of his five goals.

Kevin Brown intercepted Jordan Abdull’s pass to turn defence into attack, and from the next play lofted the ball to the corner for Thompson to score his first.

Manu had a second try disallowed, this time for a knock-on, and Widnes took full advantage to establish a stranglehold with three further tries in the last 13 minutes of the first half.

Thompson plucked the ball out of the air in spectacular fashion to touch down Mellor’s kick, centre Charly Runciman palmed the ball back from Brown’s kick for Marsh to score his first and more good work from Brown and Chris Houston got full-back Hanbury through.

Hanbury kicked a second conversion as the home side left to a standing ovation at the break.

Brimming with confidence, Brown dummied his way over for his first try of the season to make it 30-6 before his long pass enabled Marsh to squeeze over for his second.

Matt Whitley also went over and there was still time for Marsh to complete his hat-trick.

Widnes Vikings: Hanbury, Thompson, Bridge, Runciman, Marsh, Mellor, Brown, O’Carroll, White, Manuokafoa, Dean, Houston, Cahill. Substitutes: Heremaia, Gerrard, Leuluai, Whitley.

Hull FC: Shaul, Michaels, Logan, Tuimavave, Talanoa, Abdull, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Bowden, Manu, Pritchard, Ellis. Substitutes: Thompson, Minichiello, Washbrook, Watts.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (RFL)