THE Vikings will be searching for their Super League hat trick when they meet St Helens at Knowsley Road on Monday following their accomplished victory over Leeds in South Africa, writes Jim Richardson.

Widnes sent another warning to their top flight rivals ahead of their long-awaited return to the big time with a hard-fought 22-10 win over the Rhinos in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The victory secured the Vikings their third trophy in as many games, having won the NFP Grand Final and a challenge match against Warrington on Boxing Day in their previous two outings.

New Aussie signings Steve Carter and Robert Relf both ran in tries along with Chris Percival and Adam Hughes, with Barry Eaton kicking two goals and Weston another.

Leeds could only reply with two tries of their own from Chev Walker and Jamie Jones-Buccannon.

Widnes soaked up early pressure and were first on the scoreboard after centre Adam Hughes darted over from acting half from five metres out and Eaton converted to give Widnes a 6-0 lead.

The Vikings showed fighting spirit to deny Darren Fleary a try by forcing him back into the field of play as he launched himself at the try line and Calderwood was also prevented from scoring.

But Leeds hit back five minutes from the break when Chev Walker ploughed over for a try that Ben Walker failed to convert.

The heavens opened at half-time and torrential rain drenched the pitch to the point where referee Connolly considered abandoning the game.

But the game was allowed to continue and the heavier conditions seemed to favour Widnes, who put Leeds' defence on the back foot as they threw everything at them at the start of the half.

Leeds managed to hold out for six minutes before Carter left Rhinos substitute Adrian Vowles for dead to dart over for a try, which Eaton successfully converted to make it 12-4.

Percival then raced down the wing and found a way through to score on 60 minutes and although Eaton missed the side-line conversion attempt, Widnes were in a commanding 16-4 lead with just 20 minutes to go in aweful conditions.

Tempers had been running high throughout the game and they spilled over on 63 minutes when Ryan McDonald and Fleary were sin-binned for fighting.

This and the introduction of youngster Rob Burrows signalled a comeback for the Yorkshire side and rookie Jamie Jones-Buchanan skipped over for a try in the 67th minute.

But Widnes made victory safe with five minutes left when Robert Relf hacked a loose ball ahead and raced over the line for the Viking's fourth try, which was converted by the boot of Craig Weston.

l THE Vikings will travel to St Helens for their third pre-season friendly on Monday and will be hoping to continue their winning streak.

Saints will be the Vikings' first hurdle in the top flight when the Sky cameras are welcomed to Halton Community Stadium in March.

The friendly will take place at Knowsley Road on Monday, January 26 and tickets, which are now on sale at the club shop, are priced £15 and £11 concessions for seats and £11 and £6 concessions standing.