Widnes Vikings beat Leigh 24-8 in Super 8 Qualifiers to move closer to Super League safety
Last Updated: 04/09/17 2:19pm
Widnes took a huge step towards retaining their Super League status with a 24-8 triumph over Leigh in the Super 8 Qualifiers.
The Vikings, who finished bottom of Super League, but had beaten Leigh home and away during the regular season, led from the fourth minute of Sunday afternoon's encounter at Leigh Sports Village.
The visitors rarely looked in danger of relinquishing their lead against a Centurions side still to win at home in the qualifiers.
Widnes made an excellent start with a try after just four minutes. Hooker Lloyd White shot through from dummy-half to score a try but Rhys Hanbury was unable to convert.
Leigh lost their starting hooker Daniel Mortimer with an arm injury only a few minutes into the game and their problems worsened as Hanbury kicked two penalty goals in quick succession after they were pulled up twice for obstruction.
Ben Reynolds went close to replying for the home side as he almost chased down his own kick to the Widnes in-goal, and then Cory Paterson was unable to ground the ball when reaching over the try-line with one hand on the ball.
Having survived that scare, Widnes countered quickly and scored their second try in the 26th minute when forward Alex Gerrard hit a good line to power his way over from 10 metres out. Hanbury's conversion made it 14-0 to the Vikings.
Leigh made a determined start to the second half and gave themselves hope when winger James Clare, making his competitive debut for the Centurions, touched down in the corner after good combination play between Josh Drinkwater and Gregg McNally.
But Widnes responded in the best possible fashion, creating space for winger Corey Thompson to score in the corner. Chris Bridge converted from the touchline to make it 20-4 to the Vikings.
Matty Dawson scored with 14 minutes to play to get Leigh back within two converted tries, but Widnes saw out the game with two Bridge penalties to complete a crucial 24-8 success.