THREE tries from Aussie scrum-half James Webster couldn’t save Widnes from slipping to their second consecutive defeat as Whitehaven held on to snatch victory.

The former Super League scrum-half led a Widnes second-half fightback, scoring two of his treble within three minutes, but it was all in vain as Haven fell over the line and sealed all three points with a late effort from John Patrick.

From Widnes’ perspective all the damage was done in the first half and the beginning of the second as Haven drummed up a nice 22-8 lead.

Widnes did well to come back and showed some excellent fighting spirit but it was a mistake and penalty-ridden first stanza that was the story of the game for them.

Uncharacteristic misses in defence and relentless penalties gifted Haven with some decent try-scoring positions which the likes of Gregg McNally, Whitehaven’s teenage sensation, were not willing to pass.

The scrum-half, who has already signed with Huddersfield before being loaned back to the Championship club, was on song early on with a double after the visitors has taken the lead on eight minutes from Steve Bannister.

Webster kept Widnes in it with a try one minute from time as Haven took a 12-8 lead into the break.

They made an electric start through Dexter Miller and dominated proceedings for a 15-minute spell before Webster dragged the Vikings back into it.

Craig Calvert got another one for Whitehaven as they looked to take control but Webster was on target again to make things interesting heading into the final quarter. Widnes then notched a goal from Steve Tyrer levelled things up at 22-22 with only minutes remaining as both sides homed in on victory.

Paul Cullen’s men had chances to nick it at the end but Haven marched their way up the field six minutes from time and took theirs through youngster Patrick.

Widnes play Leigh next week in what is now a crucial derby game for the club.