JOSH MAKES VIKINGS PAY

JOSH GRIFFIN helped bludgeon Widnes into submission as Hull moved up to fifth.

The Vikings came into this clash ravaged by injuries and lost two more key players in the opening 46 minutes.

But they showed plenty of spirit to take the lead for the first time through Tom Olbison in the 51st minute.

Hull, who also have a raft of injuries and lost Carlos Tuimavave in the warm-up, wrestled back the lead through Masi Matongo.

But it was Griffin’s barnstorming effort shortly afterwards that knocked the stuffing out of the Vikings.

He shrugged off weak tackles from Joe Mellor and Aaron Heremaia to charge in from 35 metres out.

Widnes, who had been showing plenty of heart, then struggled to rein in Hull’s new-found belief.

Distracted

A perfectly-weighted kick from Marc Sneyd found Fetuli Talanoa in the corner, making it three tries in six minutes.

Sneyd converted only one but also landed a drop goal to give them a big enough lead that made them safe. Olbison grabbed a second late on but Griffin and Jamie Shaul had the final say and Widnes were left to rue another slow start.

Danny Washbrook grabbed the opening try after only nine minutes and Bureta Faraimo then quickly embarrassed the Widnes defence.

Two players had him in their grasp but they got distracted by the run outside of Jake Connor and let him slip away to touch down.

Sam Wilde woke Widnes with a 21st-minute try after the home side worked an overlap on the right, with Tom Gilmore adding the conversion and a penalty.

But Hull’s three-try spree gave them control and, after Olbison grabbed his second, Griffin and Shaul rounded off the victory.