St Helens 12 Widnes Vikings 10

A MARK Percival penalty eight minutes from time saw St Helens edge out Widnes 12-10 at Langtree Park.

It was a heroic effort by the Vikings who had the better of things for long periods but couldn't make the most of their opportunities.

Saints' first visit into the Widnes '20' brought instant rewards as Jordan Turner's right foot step was enough to allow him to force his way over from close range. Mark Percival's conversion attempt bounced out off the left-hand upright.

The Vikings twice went close to hitting back through Carly Runciman and then Rhys Hanbury but both failed to register.

The home side looked certain to increase their lead on 19 minutes but the Widnes cover somehow managed to scramble across to deny ex-Viking Jack Owens in the right corner.

Widnes immediately swept upfield and superb interplay between Lloyd White and Kevin Brown saw the latter send Corey Thompson over on the right. Rhys Hanbury's fine goal gave his side a 6-4 lead.

The Vikings were now having the better of things and a Matt Whitley break threatened but came to nought as Charly Runciman knocked on.

A spell of Saints pressure before half-time saw them regain the lead when winger Shannon McDonnell offloaded smartly for centre Matty Fleming to cross for a six-pointer to make it 10-6 at the interval.

A couple of penalties put Saints on the front foot early in the second half but robust Widnes defence kept them out.

The Vikings went close at the other end through Brown and Runciman as the tension built.

Widnes levelled things up on 56 minutes when a long Brown pass sent Patrick Ah Van crashing in at the flag after Jack Buchanan and Joe Mellor had done the leg work.

Fear of making an error forced both sides into set-completion mode but the dam broke on 71 minutes when a high tackle on Jonny Lomax saw Percival slot an agled penalty to make it 12-10 to St Helens.

The Vikings threw everything they could at their opponents in the final stages but were kept at bay by desperate Saints defence.

St Helens: Lomax; McDonnell, Fleming, Percival, Owens; Turner, Wilkin; Walmsley, Roby, Richards, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Greenwood, Thompson. Subs: Amor, Vea, Ashworth, Knowles.

Widnes: Hanbury; Thompson, Marsh, Runciman, Ah Van; Mellor, Brown; Cahill, White, Buchanan, Houston, Dean, Leuluai. Subs: Burke, Dudson, Whitley, Manuokafoa.

Half-Time: 6-10

Referee: Mr G Hewer

Attendance: 11,566