Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 40

Widnes Vikings 10

A SECOND half try blitz by the Wildcats put paid to Widnes Vikings' hopes at Belle Vue on Sunday.

A try and a goal just after half-time from Jules O'Neill had seemingly pulled Widnes back into the game until the home side stepped up a couple of gears to take the spoils.

Time and again, the powerful Wakefield pack tore holes in the Vikings midfield defence, helping to give stand-in goal kicker David March a pretty easy time of it with his conversions.

March finished the afternoon with six goals and a try for a 16-point haul.

The Wildcats had taken a 12-0 lead into the interval following first-half scores from Oliver Elima and Colum Halpenny.

Widnes had their moments in the first half and both fullback Stephen Rowlands and winger John Robinson had scores ruled out by the officials.

O'Neill's score certainly gave the visiting fans hope at 12-6 but it was short-lived.

Impressive Wildcats forward Jamie Field was the one who kicked down the door with a fine try and others were keen to rush in behind him.

Sid Domic was the next to cross the whitewash, quickly followed by March with Field the provider on both occasions.

The Widnes error-count grew as they tried to force the pass to get back into the game and Wakefield, previously without a win on home soil in Super League, were keen to take advantage.

Further scores from half-back Ben Jeffries and youngster Mark Applegarth confirmed their superiority.

O'Neill crossed for his second self-converted try late in the match but it was barely a consolation.

Widnes coach Neil Kelly put the defeat down to greater desire shown by the opposition.

He said: "I felt the two sides were well-matched on paper but one side was more enthusiastic and wanted to win.

"We've never lost here in Super League before and maybe we expected just to show up to get the win.

"We didn't show Wakefield the respect they deserve."

On this showing, Widnes will be hard pressed to trouble Wigan Warriors at the JJB Stadium this Friday and will be relying on some pre-Challenge Cup final nerves in the Warriors' camp.

Widnes: Rowlands; Royle; Moule; Hughes; Robinson; J O'Neill (2t, 2g); Myler; Relf; Millard; J F O'Neill; Wozniak; Hay; Frame; Subs: Bird, Mills; Atcheson; McCurrie.