WIDNES Vikings retained the Karalius Cup after their more composed, clinical and craftier display outdid their hosts.

With Kevin Brown conducting the side, Rhys Hanbury effective from full back, Lloyd White producing an impressive 70 minutes at nine and Cory Thompson demonstrating some dynamism on the wing, Vikings deserved the spoils.

The game was settled by a rapid brace of tries just after the interval which left Saints chasing the game.

Saints were first out of the blocks after a smartly placed 40/20 from Jon Wilkin gave them the perfect platform to press the line.

Former Viking Jack Owens joined the line from full back before weighting a good pass wide for wing Mark Percival to cross in the corner.

Vikings levelled it when Patrick Ah Van forced his way over on the left after the initial movement was stopped.

Vikings rattled in another score from a penalty deep inside their own half.

As Saints strolled back awaiting the kick to touch, quick-thinking scrum half Joe Mellor tapped and went through the middle like a dose of salts, dashing 70 metres to score unopposed beneath the sticks.

Thompson’s goal put Vikings 10-4 up.

Luke Walsh’s kick was collected by Jordan Turner, who plucked the from the air to easily touch down.

Walsh's goal levelled matters.

Vikings were soon back in front when on-song full back Hanbury looked as though he was going to be tackled on the line, but he somehow managed to squeeze the ball down.

Thompson’s goal gave the Vikings a 16-10 interval lead, and  took complete control at the start of the second half.

Paddy Flynn motored past opposite number Matty Dawson on the outside before turning the ball back inside for the supporting Hanbury to race on to.

Vikings were soon back for more, with Chris Dean launching Ah Van down the left before White collected the inside pass to storm over in the corner.

Turner powered on to a short ball at an angle to force his way over to post a response for Saints.

But it was too late, with Vikings having the last word with Flynn crossing in the corner.

Delighted Vikings boss Denis Betts said: “There was some really solid exciting performances out there.

“It was a pretty tight game, but we gained some confidence. We have some really exciting players in this team.

“Across the board there were some pretty solid performances, but we have to put it into perspective. It was a pre-season game. We need to go up another few levels going into the season.

“We showed when we stick in and play our game we can open up systems quite easily.”

St Helens: Owens; Dawson, Peyroux, Turner, Percival; Burns, Walsh; Amor, Roby, Tasi, Wilkin, Vea, McCarthy-Scarsbrook. Subs: Makinson, Richards, Savelio, Thompson, Fages, Greenwood, Knowles, Wellington.

Widnes: Hanbury; Thompson, Bridge, Marsh, Ah Van; Mellor, Brown; O’Carroll, White, Dudson, Sa, Dean, Cahill. Subs: Manuokafoa, Flynn, Leuluai, Gilmore, Whitley, Brooks, Walker.