Smith bags a hat-trick: Doncaster Lakers 0 Widnes Vikings 56

WIDNES went one step closer to securing second place in LHF Healthplan National League One with a comprehensive demolition of Doncaster Lakers.

A 10-try haul, including a hat-trick from hooker Mark Smith, just about summed up Vikings' total domination.

Smith had a number of rivals for the individual plaudits.

Ian Watson was in excellent form and was frequently at the hub of Vikings' attacking play, as well as doing plenty of tidying up in defence.

His half-back partner Dennis Moran was also a constant threat with his mazy running and the whole performance was built on the solid foundation laid by the Vikings pack.

Widnes got off to a fast start with Oliver Wilkes crashing over in the fourth minute.

Wilkes then found himself on report after a brief skirmish at a play-the-ball and it took Vikings until midway through the first half to increase their lead.

Watson's floated pass found Mick Nanyn in acres of space and he touched down.

Nanyn turned provider to put Smith in for his first score and when Watson's chip-kick rebounded off Lakers' crossbar Moran was on hand for Vikings' fourth try.

Damien Blanch was next on the scoresheet from a superb offload from David Allen before Smith bamboozled the home defence to waltz over just before the interval.

With Nanyn's reliable boot adding five conversions, Widnes comfortably led 34-0 at the break.

They improved that lead in the second half with a memorable try.

Nanyn's high kick-off was blown back by the wind to the extent it bounced back into the Widnes half where it was retrieved by Moran.

The elusive Australian set off across field and then straightened up to slice through.

On confronting the full back he veered left before picking up John Kirkpatrick with a perfect pass to send him racing over.

A scoreless 27-minute period was broken when Smith wriggled over for his hat-trick.

Late scores from Allen and full back Darryl Cardiss completed the rout.

Nanyn finished with a 20-point haul from his try and eight conversions.

Widnes: Cardiss (1t); Blanch (1t), Gleeson, Nanyn (1t, 8g), Kirkpatrick (1t); Moran (1t), Watson; O'Connor, Smith (3t), Tandy, Cassidy, Wilkes (1t), Beswick. Subs: Coyle, Summers, Allen (1t), James.