Josh Mantellato of Hull Kingston Rovers kicks at goal
Hull KR warmed up for the Challenge Cup final at Wembley with a hard-fought 12-8 victory in the driving rain at Widnes.
Tries from Kris Welham and debutant George Lawler were enough as the Robins went top of the Super 8s Qualifiers at the expense of the misfiring Vikings.
Rovers made six changes, bringing in Matthew Marsh, Dane Tilse, Aaron Ollett, John Boudezba and giving Lawler his debut after he was added to the squad following their win against Halifax.
The Vikings were forced to draft in Danny Tickle and Chris Clarkson for injured duo Willie Isa and Macgraff Leuluai, but neither enjoyed the openings that were there during the thumping of Sheffield a week ago.
Indiscipline, poor handling and poor execution were the overriding themes of the first period but Rovers coach Chris Chester was slightly the happier as his side went into the dressing room with a six-point lead.
The score typified the low quality of proceedings as Widnes failed to deal with a routine bomb. Matty Marsh, who was one of very few bright sparks in the first period, launched a high kick into what should have been the breadbasket of Widnes full-back Rhys Hanbury, but the diminutive Australian committed the cardinal sin of letting the ball bounce on the i-pitch and it fell right into the path of Welham who grounded for the only converted score of the half.
The Vikings started slightly better after the break and they launched their first real goalline attack of the game through Hanbury and his neat footwork created the space for Charly Runciman to power over.
Lloyd White missed the extras from out wide but Widnes looked to have turned the corner. It was Runciman again who was threatening down the left flank for the Vikings and he had a golden opportunity to put Widnes ahead, but he made the wrong call to go it alone when his winger, Stef Marsh, would have been clear.
The Robins replied with a charge of their own and Welham went close, but they finally got the try they were searching for on 54 minutes.
It came in controversial circumstances as the Robins were nearly pulled for obstruction by the official, Joe Cobb, but the whistle did not come and Marsh's kick was fumbled by Kev Brown into the hands of Lawler for a crucial score. Josh Mantellato hit his second conversion from in front and at 12-4, the Robins were well in charge.
Widnes had it all to do and tried to force it in the closing stages, with Matt Whitley grabbing a consolation, but they did not deserve a reprieve after a very disappointing display.
