Salford fight back to beat Widnes in Magic Weekend opener
By Mike Patterson
Last Updated: 21/05/16 7:43pm
Salford opened Magic Weekend with a hard-fought 18-12 victory over Widnes at Newcastle United's St James' Park.
The Vikings looked on course to end their seven-match losing streak when they led 12-4 at half-time, but the Red Devils hit back after the break to notch only their second win in five matches and leave Widnes reflecting on a club record-equalling eighth successive Super League defeat.
Salford made a bright start and went ahead in the fourth minute through Daniel Vidot, the winger finishing off a well-worked move in the right-hand corner as he powered through three defenders for his first try of the season.
Gareth O'Brien hit the post with his conversion attempt and Widnes were in front four minutes later when Rhys Hanbury converted his own try after he had charged over down the right flank.
The Vikings dominated the first half after that score with Hanbury having another effort disallowed for obstruction and Lloyd White losing the ball on the line.
Junior Sa'u made a rare break for the Red Devils before defending well at the other end as he gathered Kevin Brown's grubber kick, while Stefan Marsh missed out on a try for Widnes when Robert Lui knocked the ball out of his hands.
The second Widnes touchdown finally arrived in the 31st minute as Chris Bridge charged over from Joe Mellor's pass, although Hanbury missed with his conversion attempt before finding the target with a penalty a few minutes later.
Lui spurned a golden chance to reduce the deficit before the break when he failed to gather his hack forward and Salford also failed to add to their points haul as they made a strong start to the second half, with Widnes having to resort to some desperate defending.
The Red Devils eventually made their dominance pay in the 55th minute when Justin Carney crossed in the left-hand corner after a flowing move and O'Brien added the conversion from out wide.
Salford continued to apply the pressure and went back in front with 12 minutes remaining thanks to Vidot's second try.
Michael Dobson's high cross-field kick was spilled by Brown under pressure from Sa'u and Lui picked up the loose ball to tee up Samoa international Vidot, who missed the first three months of the season with a shoulder injury, for a simple score.
The Salford defence then held firm in the closing stages to secure a vital two points in their bid to haul their way back into the top eight, with a last-minute penalty from O'Brien wrapping up the win.
