WOLVES won at Widnes over Easter for the first time in Super League.

Most followers of The Wire would surely have taken this outcome, however achieved, before kick off.

Defeat would certainly have been a setback after achieving a first win of the season against Leeds.

But it was never going to be easy against a Widnes side billing the clash as ‘the big one’, always fired up to earn bragging rights against their bitterest rivals and desperate for their first home win of 2017.

Forced into changes through suspension to Ben Westwood and injury to perhaps the best two performers of 2017 so far in Joe Westerman and Daryl Clark made the task that much trickier.

As did conceding a second-minute try to Stefan Marsh from a sloppy Matty Russell fumble as well as losing the winger and centre Ryan Atkins to head injuries during the course of the 80 minutes.

Sometimes a team just needs to win and find a way of doing so when not fluent or in total control.

This was one of those occasions.

Wolves led 17-4 at half time but the gap could have been wider with a touch more fortune, Atkins and Dec Patton both had tries ruled out by the video referee, while efforts from Tom Lineham, Jack Hughes and Joe Philbin stood.

The Wire never got close to adding any more tries in the second period as Widnes, themselves without nine first-teamers and losing two more to injury during the game, laid siege.

But Wolves’ defence was magnificent, particularly when camped on their own try line.

Vikings could only find a way through once, Charly Runciman pouncing on a smart grubber kick behind the advanced Toby King and Rhys Evans from the boot of ex-Wire centre Chris Bridge.

Wolves can take positives and confidence from that.

Plaudits go to safe-as-houses full back Stefan Ratchford, Lineham with some key contributions in defence and attack, Dec Patton with his game management and kicking and scrum half Kurt Gidley who also spent 30 quality minutes at hooker.

Also, Chris Hill who is getting back to his best, Benjamin Jullien for his tireless efforts in defence in his first outing of the year, Joe Philbin and Andre Savelio as replacement props who made great impact off the bench when it was needed.

INTERESTING NOTES:

. Wolves unbeaten in three games

. First win away to Widnes at Easter since 1995

. Wolves have won on each of their last six meetings with Widnes

. Philbin's first try since beating Vikings in Super 8s last September

MATCH FACTS:

Super League Round Nine, Thursday, April 13, 2017

Widnes Vikings...10 Warrington Wolves...19

Vikings: Rhys Hanbury; Tom Armstrong, Chris Bridge, Charly Runciman, Stef Marsh; Joe Mellor, Danny Craven; Gil Dudson, Jordan Johnstone, Jay Chapelhow, Chris Houston, Matt Whitley, Sam Brookes. Subs; Chris Dean, Alex Gerrard, Tom Olbison, Greg Burke.

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Matty Russell, Toby King, Ryan Atkins, Tom Lineham; Dec Patton, Kurt Gidley; Chris Hill, Brad Dwyer, Ashton Sims, Benjamin Jullien, Jack Hughes, George King. Subs: Rhys Evans, Andre Savelio, Joe Philbin, Harvey Livett.

Scoring: Marsh try, 2mins, 4-0; Lineham try, 9mins, 4-4; Hughes try, 15mins, Patton goal, 4-10; Philbin try, 35mins, Patton goal, 4-16; Patton drop goal, 38mins, 4-17; Runciman try, 60mins, Bridge goal, 10-17; Patton penalty goal, 78mins, 10-19.

Penalties: Vikings 11 Wolves 8

Referee: Phil Bentham

Attendance: 8,279

Man of the match (live blog fans' poll): Ratchford