Widness Vikings 40 Castleford Tigers 10: Sorry Tigers fail to get out of first gear as Widnes dominate

Jon Clarke was inspirational and put the home side in firm control with the veteran hooker having a hand in two of the Vikings’ first-half tries which gave them the platform for a deserved victory.

The home side, who have been rooted to the foot of the ladder for the majority of the season, got off to a blistering start thanks to Stefan Marsh, one of eight former Wigan players in the Widnes line-up, after he latched on to Cameron Phelps’s pass.

Nick Youngquest replied for the Tigers, who played without a recognised pivot for 30 minutes until captain Danny Orr showed up from the bench.

Castleford’s attacks were few and far between – they clearly missed star player Rangi Chase, who remains absent due to internal disciplinary reasons.

They did muster one decent bit of play towards the close of the first half through Jordan Thompson, but the centre could not collect a regulation pass deep in Widnes territory.

Widnes’s grip on the game continued as blockbusting second-row Frank Winterstein barged his way over from close range in the 22nd minute before Ben Davies added a third try just before half-time.

Pat Ah Van’s three conversions, all easily kickable, went over and the game was Widnes’s to lose entering the second period with an 18-4 lead.

Ian Millward, the Tigers boss, must have given his troops an ear bashing at the break as the visitors came out more fired up.

But it did not last for long as Paul McShane crashed over from dummy half for a converted try and then Joe Mellor flew over after a neat show-and-go.

Ah Van missed his first conversion of the evening, but it mattered little in the grand scheme of things.

Stuart Jones got a score back for the sorry Tigers, Craig Huby tagging on the extras, but Widnes were soon restoring their lead with another try, this time through debutant Eamon O’Carroll, who pounced on McShane’s dab through.

Ah Van then flew in for a try himself at the end with Rhys Hanbury slotting the goal from the touchline to round things off in fine style.

Widnes Vikings: Phelps, Isa, Marsh, Dean, Ah Van, Mellor, Hanbury, Cross, Clarke, Pickersgill, Winterstein, Allen, Cahill. Substitutes: Davies, J. Kite, McShane, O’Carroll.

Castleford Tigers: Youngquest, Clare, Griffin, Thompson, Williams, Ferres, McGoldrick, Walker, Milner, Huby, Millington, Holmes, Snitch. Substitutes: Orr, Emmitt, Jones, Massey.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens).