Leeds Rhinos 48

Widnes Vikings 24

THE talk before the game was of an under strength Widnes Vikings suffering a hiding at the hands of high-flying Leeds Rhinos at Headingley on Friday night.

But the Vikings had other ideas and produced a spirited display before going down 48-24 to a Danny McGuire inspired home side.

McGuire raced in for a Super League record-equalling five tries as he formed a lethal half back partnership with Rob Burrow.

Widnes were without their own key man in midfield, Jules O'Neill, ruled out with a rib injury.

As it turned out, they probably missed the talented Australian more in defence than they did in attack.

The Vikings got off to a great start.

Leeds winger Mark Calderwood made a hash of fielding the kick-off and from the resulting pressure makeshift stand off Simon Finnigan followed up half back partner Stephen Myler's smart kick to touch down.

Myler's conversion gave the Vikings a shock 6-0 lead after only two minutes.

Calderwood made amends for his blunder just three minutes later when he backed up a scything Burrow break to score out wide.

Myler nudged Widnes further ahead with a penalty but Calderwood was in again on 20 minutes following a superb offload from Ali Lauiti'iti to make it 8-8.

Widnes continued to refuse to follow the script and Nicky Royle put them back in front after good work by Troy Wozniak on the last tackle.

Leeds, and McGuire in particular, stepped up a gear in the closing minutes of the first half to register three tries.

The mercurial McGuire helped himself to two with Lauiti'iti slam-dunking the ball over the whitewash for the other.

An interval score of 26-12 flattered Leeds but had many predicting a Rhinos rampage in the second half.

To their credit, the Vikings refused to be cowed and they hit back on 51 minutes when Chris Giles out-jumped Calderwood for a high ball to score with Myler converting.

The Rhinos re-established their superiority when Burrow scampered over and McGuire showed great footwork to complete his hat-trick to make it 36-18.

A superb break from the impressive Aaron Moule saw him put Giles in for his second six-pointer but McGuire finished the game in style for the home side.

He showed great support play to race over for two further tries to complete the scoring.

On this showing, against Super League's form team, the Vikings will be expecting to exploit their run-in to the Super League season when they face lesser opposition.

In the meantime, St Helens visit Halton Stadium on Friday night.

Widnes: Bird; Royle (1t); Moule; Hughes; Giles (2t); Finnigan (1t); Myler (4g); Mills; Millard; J F O'Neill; Wozniak; Hay; Frame; Subs: McCurrie; Hobson; Rowlands; Weston.