Capital benefits for Vikings

Widnes lifted themselves off the foot of the Stobart Super League table with a 38-30 home victory over fellow strugglers London Broncos.

The Vikings triumphed in an 11-try thriller, Lloyd White crossing twice to help the hosts record just their second triumph since returning to the top flight.

However it was Cameron Phelps who claimed the vital try six minutes from time, breaking open a 30-30 scoreline after the Broncos had battled back from 24-6 down in the second half.

Widnes' success was even more impressive considering they were without injured skipper Jon Clarke, vice-captain Shaun Briscoe and Anthony Mullally, as well as Patrick Ah Van, Anthony Watts and Ben Kavanagh.

Ideal start

They were given an ideal start by their opponents when Luke Dorn spilled a Gareth O'Brien kick before a penalty set up the chance for White to dart over.

O'Brien, on loan from Super League rivals Warrington, converted and then his neat kick bounced off the post for Chris Dean to pounce and make it 12-0 after only five minutes.

London were starved of possession until they hit back on their first raid with a strong run from Chris Bailey. Craig Gower and Antonio Kaufusi then combined to put Dorn in, Michael Witt's conversion cutting the gap to 12-6.

Yet the lively Rhys Hanbury darted over to extend the lead and although O'Bren failed to add the extras, he made no mistake with a 39th-minute penalty to put Widnes 18-6 up at the half-time interval.

The Broncos' hopes of that elusive first away win were dealt a further blow almost straight from the restart when Simon Finnigan's short pass put Ben Davies over, the successful conversion making it 24-6.

But the capital club refused to give in and after sub Mark Bryant powered over for their second try, they were given a real boost when Ben Cross was sent to the sin bin for obstructing Gower.

Drew level

Witt dummied his way over for a converted try to cut the gap to 24-18 and the visitors drew level after 63 minutes thanks to the returning Liam Colbon squeezing over in the corner, Witt booting the extras from the touchline.

White's second try of the afternoon briefly edged Widnes back in front, only for Tony Clubb's effort to level matters again with nine minutes remaining.

The pivotal moment of the match arrived three minutes later, however, when Phelps restored the Vikings' advantage by taking Willie Isa's inside pass to touch down.

O'Brien converted and then after centre Clubb was sin-binned for a late challenge, made sure Widnes would get the two points with a penalty, his seventh goal of a productive afternoon for both himself and his temporary team.