St Helens stand alone at the top of the First Utility Super League table tonight, after recovering from a 14-6 deficit at half-time to run out 20-20 winners against Widnes Vikings at the Select Security Stadium, with Lance Hohaia scoring two tries.
With both teams suffering numerous absentees, including Widnes captain Kevin Brown and St Helens their inspirational hooker James Roby, the Vikings appeared to take control of the game in the first half, opening the score with a short range try by Eamon O’Carroll after five minutes.
And although Hohaia equalised with the first of his two tries on 17 minutes, the Vikings took the lead again when Rhys Hanbury put Patrick Ah Van over in the corner, five minutes before the break. Danny Tickle had converted their first try, but Stefan Marsh converted Ah Van’s and then added a penalty while Tickle was off the field.
Saints came out for the second half in a determined mood, however, with Atelea Vea scoring two minutes after the interval, and then they added three tries in eight minutes from Luke Thompson, Jordan Turner and Hohaia again to give them an invincible 14-30 lead at the three-quarter period.
The Vikings replied with a late try by Aaron Heremaia, converted again by Marsh, but it was too little, too late for the home side.
A full report and photos from this game will feature in Monday’s edition of Rugby League Express.
