WIDNES dragged themselves out of the relegation zone against mid-table Fleetwood with an early points burst.
Stu Hussey put in a captain's performance with a try, drop goal, two penalties and two conversions to put the Wids one point above Oldham with three league games left.
The Wids scored all 23 points in the first 25 minutes of the game. Hussey showed the home team's intent in the second minute when he knocked over a drop goal from 30 metres. He tagged on a penalty three minutes later from 15 metres.
The inspirational Rab Higgins was on hand after nine minutes to put the finishing touch to a flowing move that saw the ball moved from one side of the pitch to the other and back again. Hussey converted the try.
Widnes did not let up the pressure and on 21 minutes, Hussey dummied his way over the line from 20 metres. The Wids finished their scoring spree with a 30-metre Hussey penalty after 25 minutes. Fleetwood did put some pressure on the Widnes line towards the end of the half but great defence, especially by Liam Wilde, kept the visitors at bay.
In the second half, playing up the hill and against the wind, the Wids found it difficult to reproduce their first-half form and pressure from Fleetwood took its toll after 49 minutes when Lee Jones scored in the corner. Ben Godfrey converted.
Widnes did not panic and forced their way into Fleetwood territory and Hussey had two chances to extend the lead with penalties on 60 and 66 minutes - the second attempt hitting the up right.
The visitors applied pressure to the home line in the closing minutes and were rewarded with a try by scrum-half Jack Heald. The Widnes side deserved this victory due to their disciplined approach and several players had outstanding performances, namely Peter Van Loo, Ste Vickerstaffe and Johannes Lamprecht.
After the game, match official Nick Buckton presented the club with the Liverpool and District Referees Society Club of the Year Award - yet another indication that the Heath Road outfit is going about its business correctly.
On Saturday, the Wids travel to Rochdale for the long overdue Lancashire Trophy tie, kick-off 3pm. The winners will play Warrington in the semi-final, with Fleetwood already in the final.
West Park 39 Helsby 12: Helsby's promotion chances were all but ended when a poor second-half dis-play condemned them to a heavy defeat.
Playing into a strong wind in the first half, Helsby were always under pressure against a strong West Park side and Helsby's only points came when John Williams went on a rampaging run, crashing through three tackles to score in the corner.
Trailing 19-8 at half-time, the game was still within reach for Helsby but an early West Park try rocked the visitors and killed off any chance of a fightback.
Helsby did manage to score a second try when Lee Gibson crashed over following a good move, but it proved just a consolation on a disappointing afternoon.
Helsby's Frodsham Tandoori MoM was Tom Gregory for his tireless effort throughout the game.
Helsby host Linley on Saturday,
