Widnes picked up a disappointing consecutive loss in the league against York City Knights after going unbeaten in their first four games.
Adam Lawton was the only try scorer for the Vikings who struggled to defend against a fast-paced York attack.
Widnes started with intensity and created an early chance in the corner for Ryan Ince who was kept out by good defence from the home side.
Vikings forward Eribe Doro received a yellow card shortly after for a dangerous ‘heels over head’ tackle, leaving his side one man short as York picked up the pace.
The Knights took this opportunity to open the scoring in the 13th minute after exploiting a gap in the right side of the Widnes defence.
Brendan O’Hagan brought the ball forward and found Matty Marsh who ran in under the posts before Jamie Ellis added the extras.
Widnes responded in the 20th minute when a high bomb from Joe Lyons bounced into the hands of Lawton who got on to the end of his own grubber.
Ste Tyrer converted to bring his side level at 6-6.
York fought back and scored in the 23rd minute, after quick footwork and an offload from Levi Edwards found O’Hagan who ran half the length to score.
Ellis added another two points allowing his side to regain the lead.
The home side edged further ahead in the 29th minute, after a sweeping move from right to left found Brad Ward who dived in at the corner.
Ellis failed to convert from distance leaving his side 16-6 up.
The Vikings came close to scoring shortly after when Jack Owens’ grubber reached the try line but was knocked on by Tyrer.
York were kept out just before half time as Lawton made a crucial last-ditch tackle to stop the away side going further ahead. The score remained 16-6 at halftime.
The Knights added to the score line in the 50th minute after Marsh latched onto the end of an O’Hagan kick over the Widnes defensive line.
Liam Harris converted to give his side a 22-6 lead.
Widnes fell further behind in the 66th minute when Marcus Stock crashed over from short range, with Harris adding another two points.
The away side added another try in the 72nd minute when Edwards pushed through the fatigued Widnes defence.
Harris failed to convert with his side still comfortably in the lead.
Widnes’ attempts to pull back some points came to nothing, and the whistle was blown to end a disappointing performance.
The Vikings sit fourth in the league and face Newcastle Thunder away at Kingston Park in their next league fixture on the 4th April.
York City Knights: Matty Marsh, Joe Brown, James Glover, Levi Edwards, Brad Ward, Brendan O’Hagan, Jamie Ellis, Masi Matongo, Will Jubb, Pauli Pauli, Chris Clarkson, Daniel Kirkmond, Jordan Thompson.
Interchanges: Liam Harris, Ronan Dixon, Marcus Stock, Jack Teanby.
Tries: Matty Marsh (2), Brendan O’Hagan, Brad Ward, Marcus Stock, Levi Edwards.
Widnes Vikings: Jack Owens, Ryan Ince, Ste Tyrer, Joe Edge, Matt Fleming, Joe Lyons, Matty Smith, Kenny Baker, Matty Fozard, Eribe Doro, Sam Wilde, Adam Lawton, Aaron Brown.
Interchanges: Liam Bent, Tyler Dupree, Owen Farnworth, Olly Davies.
Tries: Adam Lawton.
