London 24-42 Widnes: Rhys Hanbury and Paddy Flynn score second-half doubles as Vikings withstand late Broncos charge
Widnes Vikings survived a late fightback at the Hive to end a five-match winless run in Super League and condemn bottom club London Broncos to yet another defeat.
Patrick Ah Van, Hep Cahill, and Danny Galea touched down in the first-half for the visitors, before Rhys Hanbury and Paddy Flynn each scored a double in the second period to seal a 42-24 win.
James Greenwood, Atelea Vea and Matt Cook gave Broncos some hope at the end of the game, after Denny Solomona's first-half try, but these proved to be no more than a consolation.
A second-minute Josh Drinkwater penalty from just under halfway put London in front.
Crushing blow: Widnes's Danny Galea crosses for one of the Vikings' seven tries in the win over London Broncos
But it was not long before a sloppy Broncos knock-on gave Widnes possession right in front of the posts. Kevin Brown's chip over the top allowed Ah Van to touch down in the left corner.
Danny Tickle converted the goal from the sideline to make it 6-2 after eight minutes.
Widnes built their pressure, Brown almost setting up a carbon-copy of the first try in the 14th minute with another well placed kick.
Widnes looked dangerous every time Brown was in possession, and a kick into the right corner forced a mistake from Iliess Macani, conceding the ten-metre scrum on 31 minutes.
The Vikings again punished London for the error, with Cahill charging in under the posts after a great offload from Jon Clarke.
Galea then found a gap in the Broncos defence on 38 minutes, running in to the left of the posts, before against the run of play Drinkwater's kick released Solomona who finished well in the corner on the stroke of half-time. Both tries were successfully converted to make it 18-8 at the interval.
Streak over: Hep Cahill scores as the Vikings end a five-match losing run at The Hive
Widnes opened the second-half with a superb move down the right, with Hanbury exchanging with Ah Van before touching down in the right corner for another try in the 48th minute.
Flynn then broke three tackles and somehow went over in the right corner on 51 minutes, before Brown's 63rd-minute kick gave Flynn the opportunity to run in again on the right following the scrum.
Greenwood and Vea gave Broncos fans something to cheer about with 10 minutes left, both going over in quick succession to make it 36-20, Drinkwater converting the goals.
But Hanbury's blistering break through the middle on 73 minutes restored Widnes' lead, before Broncos skipper Cook responded with a try of his own in the last minute.
Most watched Sport videos
- Stirring moment fans chant U-S-A at Sugar Bowl after NOLA terror attack
- Angel Reese flaunts her New Year's Eve gown in playful video
- John Daly hits golf ball across street and over building for 2025
- Caitlin Clark leaves Travis Kelce beaming with review of Eras Tour
- Saints coach Darren Rizzi responds to the New Orleans attack
- Hit in Texas-Arizona football game fails to be labelled as targeting
- NFL fashion designer Kristin Juszczyk announces MAJOR career move
- Dyche responds to Maupay taking shots at Everton on social media
- Louisiana official says ATF team is ready for Sugar Bowl
- Arteta says Arsenal in 'good mood' following win against Brentford
- ESPN cameras catch Jake Bates doing 'freaky' act on national TV
- Oldest living Olympic medal winner, Agnes Keleti, dies at age 103