WIDNES 6 BULLS 31

One for the road – now on to the next as the Bulls kicked off their travelling triple-header in confident fashion.

There was Jubilee jubilation in Widnes with a convincing five-try salvo to vanquish the Vikings.

The Bulls made it three victories in four under Mark Dunning’s interim command.

And it is still only one defeat all season away from Odsal – a record that will clearly come under its toughest scrutiny on Monday night with the televised visit to leaders Featherstone.

But at least this extended road trip kicked off in positive fashion against an opponent who began the day breathing down their necks in the congested Championship mid-table.

Widnes, like the Bulls, remain under temporary charge after jettisoning Simon Finnigan on the same day that John Kear left Odsal.

Neither side are rushing to make an appointment – and Kear’s name is being linked with the Vikings post, although the Dewsbury vacancy may look a better fit for the veteran coach.

The Bulls hierarchy have announced a Sunday cut-off for their own applications as the process takes its time. For now, it’s Dunning’s show and displays like this will do his own chances no harm.

Ryan Millar, Steve Crossley and George Flanagan all returned to the Bulls ranks along with Samy Kibula and Leeds loanee Muizz Mustapha. David Foggin-Johnston travelled but was not involved – presumably held back for Fev.

The teams were feeling each other out in the early exchanges – Widnes coming the closest when Joe Burton produced a try-saving grab to halt winger Ryan Ince. But there was a blow for the Bulls with a groggy Brad England going off.

Dec Patton charged down a kick but Kieran Gill’s attempt to break from his own half was well read by home full back Joe Lyons.

The Bulls did get on the board on 16 minutes. Thomas Doyle was denied just short but Jordan Baldwinson bulldozed under the posts from the next play for his first try of the season.

Widnes attempted to hit back but were halted by a superb scrambling effort from Gill behind his line to prevent them touching down from a high kick to the corner. That prompted a rendition of “God save the Queen” from the travelling Bulls fans.

A side-stepping break from Joe Burton put the Bulls back in scoring position but Jordan Lilley was unable to get on the end of his own dinked kick through.

The Bulls then showed sturdy defence at the other end as their left edge hauled Jake Spedding into touch five metres from their line.

Flanagan appeared for his first action since April 10 as another Lilley grubber just eluded the chasing Elliot Kear and ran behind.

But the Bulls got their second score just before the break – with a stroke of fortune.

A Widnes ball came loose in a tackle midway inside their own half and bounced off Kibula’s head before dropping kindly into his hands. Millar was instantly on his shoulder to apply the finish and provide some breathing space as the hooter sounded.

Things got even better within two minutes of the restart. Dec Patton fed Wallace to launch a break and Gill was supporting to take it in for the third try – and his 12th in a Bulls jersey.

But Widnes hit back straight away as Steve Tyrer somehow managed to get the ball down in the corner as the defence attempted to knock him out of play. He then nailed a touchline conversion to keep the game alive.

That rejuvenated the hosts to launch a spell of pressure but the Bulls this time did manage to bundle Tyrer into touch as the experienced centre threatened again.

Patton then calmed any nerves with a penalty for a high shot on Doyle to make it a three-score game again before Widnes put the restart out on the full.

And the Bulls moved further clear with the best try of the afternoon, slick hands sweeping the ball quickly from right to left where Burton dived over for an excellent score.

Widnes knew the game was up but the visitors were not done and claimed a fifth try with 10 minutes to go.

Lilley lofted a high boot towards the right side where Millar jumped highest to claim and run in his second of the afternoon.

And there was still time for Flanagan, clearly desperate to make up for lost time, to land a cheeky drop goal to seal matters.

WIDNES: Lyons; Ince, Spedding, Tyrer, Edge; Craven, Smith; Baker, Fozard, Doro, Davies, Wild, Brown. Interchange: Bent, Field, Farnworth, Lawton.

BULLS: Kear; Millar, Dawson-Jones, Gill, Burton; Patton, Lilley; Baldwin, Doyle, Mustapha, England, Wallace, B Evans. Interchange: Flanagan, Kibula, Scurr, Crossley.