Salford City Reds 24 Widnes Vikings 12 (From Warrington Guardian)

Salford City Reds 24 Widnes Vikings 12

WIDNES have become renowned for the spirit and enthusiasm of their play since they gained promotion to Super League but they were qualities sadly lacking in this display.

Of course, Super League new boys Salford were up for the occasion, but they were aided and abetted by a sluggish and lacklustre showing from the Vikings.

Down 8-2 at half-time, in the end a 24-12 score line didn't flatter the home side and left Widnes coach Neil Kelly with a few headaches.

He said: "We've been portrayed as relegation candidates and I thought we fell into the role really well.

"I thought we lacked a competitive edge throughout the whole game.

"In the second half, it was almost as if we thought the 8-2 lead was going to be enough. We were idling along in second or third gear without ever wanting to get into top.

"That level of disrespect for any team is unacceptable. We've got to shake them up.

"I think maybe some players may not be selected. I'm not going to panic but you can't go into games and not be competitive."

Widnes had marginally the better of a fairly turgid first half but struggled to turn pressure into points.

Both sides had swapped early penalties but it took until the 34th minute for the first try to be registered.

Substitute prop David Mills, one of the few to show his true form on the day, showed great strength and persistence as he held off three Salford defenders to touch down from 10 metres out.

Jules O'Neill's conversion gave the Vikings their six-point half-time cushion.

Salford hit back just two minutes into the second period when centre Stuart Littler dummied his way through a confused Widnes defence to score with Joel Caine adding the conversion.

A Caine penalty was followed by a further converted score for Reds scrum half Gavin Clinch as the Vikings defence again hesitated fatally.

Deon Bird was penalised for interference at the play-the-ball allowing Caine to stretch the lead to 18-8.

Chris Giles gave the Vikings hope when he scored in the corner after fine work by Adam Hughes but Salford weren't to be denied.

A late try for impressive prop forward Andy Coley, converted by substitute Chris Charles completed the scoring.

This Sunday's Powergen Challenge Cup tie at Wigan looks a daunting task on this showing.

Widnes: Atcheson, Robinson, Bird, Hughes, Giles (1t), J O'Neill (2g), Lawford, Relf, Millard, JF O'Neill, McCurrie, Hay, Finnigan, Subs: Rowlands, Wozniak, Hobson, Mills (1t).