SAINTS produced a disappointing display in their last pre-season hit-out of the year to lose the Karalius Cup to Widnes for the second year running.

In what was something of a soft display, Saints allowed Kevin Brown and Rhys Hanbury to run the show.

Saints' patchy display was not helped by losing Travis Burns with concussion midway through the first half and then they kept Luke Walsh off at half time after he turned his ankle just before the break.

Although the game was still in the balance at half time, two quick Widnes tries just afterwards left Saints with too much to do.

They will be left to work on some of the careless things they did with the ball that handed cheap possession over, but will also look at how easily Vikings managed to open them up on each edge.

Saints started well enough with a 40/20 from Jon Wilkin giving them the perfect position for former Viking Jack Owens to chime into the line from full back before floating a fine pass wide for wing Mark Percival to cross in the corner.

Luke Walsh missed the goal, but Saints looked in control.

But some sloppy play gave Vikings a leg up and they levelled it when Patrick Ah Van forced his way over on the left.

Vikings extended their lead when from a penalty dozing Saints ambled back awaiting the kick to touch from Joe Mellor.

The quick-thinking scrum half tapped it and dashed 70 metres unopposed to score beneath the posts.

Corey Thompson’s goal put Vikings 10-4 up and to compound their misery Saints then lost Travis Burns who was led off in a groggy state on 22 minutes with a head knock.

Theo Fages came on and the Frenchman passed to Walsh, whose kick was collected by Turner for a well-taken try.

Walsh levelled with the goal.

Widnes took advantage of some sloppy play when Hanbury managed to squeeze the ball down over the line.

Thompson’s goal gave the Vikings a 16-10 interval lead, and and back-to-back tries courtesy of fine moves down each flank put them clean away.

The first one saw Paddy Flynn skin opposite number Matty Dawson on the outside before turning the ball back inside for the supporting Hanbury.

Vikings were soon back for more, with the three-quarters unleashing Ah Van down the left, and although Fages tried to get across to cover he could not stop Lloyd White from collecting the pass and steaming over in the corner.

It was a scrappy remainder of the match with Vikings tackling well and smothering the Saints attack.

Saints rallied in the last quarter and following a penalty Turner, powered on to a short ball at an angle to force his way over.

But it was too late, with Vikings having the last word with former Haresfinch wing Flynn crossing in the corner.</

St Helens: Owens; Dawson, Peyroux, Turner, Percival; Burns, Walsh; Amor, Roby, Tasi, Wilkin, Vea, McCarthy-Scarsbrook. Subs: Makinson, Richards, Savelio, Thompson, Fages, Greenwood, Knowles, Wellington.

Widnes: Hanbury; Thompson, Bridge, Marsh, Ah Van; Mellor, Brown; O’Carroll, White, Dudson, Sa, Dean, Cahill. Subs: Manuokafoa, Flynn, Leuluai, Gilmore, Whitley, Brooks, Walker.