SAINTS’ Easter bubble has burst after losing 16-14 at bottom-placed Widnes having failed to break down the stubborn home defence.

The reverse is a big blow to Saints after they seemed to have turned the corner with some bright displays against Wigan and Castleford.

Widnes, without a home win so far this term and down on troops, produced a more energetic and determined performance.

The Vikings tackled keenly and slowed down the ruck, meaning Saints found it difficult to break out of their half for much of the opening 40.

Saints did not offer enough in attack, often reverting to dull one-man rugby, and seemed to be out-enthused by a severely patched-up side.

Although the teams went in 12-12 at the break, that was probably a flattering scoreline as Vikings had enjoyed more opportunities and had had the lion’s share of the field position.

There was a touch of luck about the first score when Vikings crossed after Joe Mellor touched down a fortuitous rebound off Zeb Taia, goaled by Tom Gilmore on 12 minutes.

In a rare raid on the Widnes line French half back Theo Fages posted a response on 17 minutes when he juggled the ball close to the line, which bamboozled the defence, before darting over over.

Mark Percival’s goal levelled it, but Saints were finding it hard to really make any headway and were guilty of some careless errors which gifted Vikings opportunities at the other end.

Vikings pushed their noses back in front when the strong running wing Pat Ah Van polished off quick hands in the corner, after Gilmore and Charly Runciman had moved the ball swiftly left.

Vikings had more chances to stretch the lead before the break but knocked on or lost the ball close to the Saints line.

Somewhat against the run of play Saints had one last crack at the Widnes line just before the interval. A dummy and roll over from Matty Smith, goaled by Percival tied the scores at the break.

Saints seemed to come out with more energy after the break, and their early pressure won them a penalty which Percival slotted.

Saints held that lead but critically failed to add to it in what was an increasingly scrappy, tired, error-strewn affair.

The anxiety seemed to creep into Saints’ play more – and Vikings grew in confidence, sensing that they could take this.

And after Adam Swift was pinned behind his goal line from a keen Danny Walker tackle, Vikings sensed blood.

On the last play of the set Ah Van steamed over on an inside ball to bash the ball over.

Although Gilmore hit the goal to leave it as a two-point lead, having struggled to make headway all game, it was always unlikely that Saints could salvage this.

And there seemed to be a real lack of urgency, no quick forming of scrums or throwing any different shapes at the Vikings defence.

Widnes held out, with a poor high tackle from skipper Jon Wilkin at the end meaning the home side could close the game out.

With the middle densely packed points wise, this could prove to be another costly defeat that fits in with this year’s pattern of losing to less fancied sides.

Widnes: Hanbury; Thompson, Marsh, Runciman, Ah Van; Mellor, Gilmore; Dudson, Johnstone, Buchanan, Houston, Dean, Gerrard. Subs: Whitley, Burke, J Chapelhow, Walker.

Saints: Bailey; Swift, Fleming, Percival, Grace; Fages, Smith; Richards, Lee, Amor, Taia, Wilkin, Thompson. Subs: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Walmsley, Peyroux, Knowles.