WIDNES ran in seven tries to two as they put Wakefield Trinity Wildcats to the sword 40-8 at the Select Security Stadium.

It was a thoroughly dominant performance by the Vikings all across the pitch.

The likes of Jack Buchanan and Greg Burke got the better of their opposites up front with skipper Kevin Brown bossing things behind.

Perhaps all were surpassed, however, by second-rower Matt Whitley who had a superb all-round game in attack and defence.

Widnes fluffed an early chance to open the scoring when Hep Cahill couldn’t take Lloyd White’s pass with the line beckoning.

However, the home fans didn’t have long to wait to see the first try as fullback Rhys Hanbury scorched through the Wildcats defence before sending Patrick Ah Van over. Lloyd White goaled superbly from the left-hand touchline.

The lead was doubled on 13 minutes when Brown and Chris Houston exchanged passes before the former handed on to Hanbury to finish.

The Vikings now had the bit between their teeth and registered a third touchdown when Whitley powered onto a short ball to crash over.

Wakefield at last enjoyed a spell of possession at the Widnes end but found the Vikings defence in determined mood.

Three minutes before half-time Whitley showed there is more than one string to his bow as his bullet pass sent right winger Corey Thompson over. White added his fourth goal to make it 24-0 at half-time.

Normal service was quickly resumed after the break as quick hands created the space for centre Stefan Marsh to score.

White missed the conversion but quickly made amends when he backed up a superb Whitley break to stroll over by the posts for a self-converted try which made it 34-0.

To their credit, the Wildcats refused to throw in the towel and broke their duck when ex-Viking Craig Hall crossed from 20 metres.

Widnes hit the 40 mark when Brown’s trademark long pass allowed Ah Van to squeeze in for his second try of the afternoon.

As the game fizzled out, the visitors did at least have the pleasure of the last word as winger Ben Jones-Bishop intercepted a stray Joe Mellor pass and ran 80 metres for a consolation try.

Widnes: Hanbury; Thompson, Marsh, Dean, Ah Van; Mellor, Brown; Burke, White, Buchanan, Whitley, Houston, Cahill. Subs: J Chapelhow, Dudson, Heremaia, Farrell.

Wakefield: Jowitt; Hall, B Tupou, Lyne, Jones-Bishop; Miller, Finn; Scruton, Moore, Arona, Molloy, Walton, Sio. Subs: Fifita, Yates, Batchelor, Arundel.

Half-Time: 24-0 Referee: Mr G Hewer Attendance: 4,010