Vikings top Super League after downing Giants

Widnes Vikings went joint top of the Super League and made it three defeats out of three for second-bottom Huddersfield Giants with a 36-18 victory at the John Smith's Stadium.

Denis Betts' men bounced straight back from last weekend's 28-20 loss at Salford Red Devils to claim another notable scalp in what is shaping up to be a fine start to the new season, the Vikings having also thrashed champions Leeds Rhinos this month.

The visitors ran in four first-half tries courtesy of Chris Dean, Stefan Marsh, Charly Runciman and Macgraff Leuluai, while Huddersfield hit back through Michael Lawrence before Nathan Mason was sin binned for the hosts for unsportsmanlike behaviour prior to the interval.

Any hopes Huddersfield had of mounting a second-half fightback were crushed within a minute of the restart as Marsh powered over for his second of the afternoon.

Corey Thompson followed Marsh's lead by helping himself to a brace either side of a Larne Patrick effort.

Jamie Foster converted his own try in the final minute, but it mattered little as Widnes hauled themselves level on six points with Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors.