Former Warriors winger Patrick Ah Van inspired Widnes Vikings to an impressive seven-try victory over Castleford Tigers on Monday to move off the bottom of the Super League table.
Ah Van notched five goals and a fine late try as the Vikings chalked up a 40-10 win – their fourth of the season – to leapfrog London Broncos into 13th.
Samoa international Frank Winterstein forced his way over on 22 minutes, adding to Stefan Marsh’s effort while Ben Davies, Paul McShane, Joe Mellor and Eamon O’Caroll, on his debut, and Ah Van also crossed.
Former Penrith Panthers fullback Nick Youngquest had got the Tigers onto the scoresheet early in the match with his 11th try of the season but Widnes proved far too strong.
New Zealand hooker Aaron Heremaia was among the try-scorers as Hull FC struck late to claim a first win in five and deny Huddersfield Giants on Sunday.
Eorl Crabtree looked to have won it for the Giants but Kirk Yeaman scored the decisive try in the dying seconds in a 28-24 victory.
That means ex-St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown’s side have now won just one in six.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Catalan’s Steve Menzies celebrated his Exiles call-up with two tries in the Dragons’ emphatic 34-10 home victory over Wakefield.
Sydney-born Ireland international Damien Blanch helped himself to a hat-trick while ex-St George full-back Clint Greenshields also crossed in a six-try demolition.
Leeds clung to the coattails of the leading pack by routing London Broncos at the Stoop, one-time Manly Sea Eagle Kylie Leuluai running in one of 10 tries in the Rhinos’ 58-12 win.
On Friday, Bradford pulled off a shock 30-22 away win to league leaders Wigan but jubilation had turned to despair by Monday morning with the news that the Bulls had made all their non-playing staff redundant — including coach and former NSW fullback Mick Potter.
Elsewhere, St Helens survived a late fightback from Hull KR to close the gap on Wigan after nearly seeing their 26-0 lead frittered away.
Indeed when Josh Hodgson scored to make it 28-26 to Rovers, Saints were in deep trouble until Anthony Laffranchi’s score restored their lead before Tony Puletua notched his side’s seventh try late on.
And former Canterbury Bulldogs star Luke Patten grabbed a double as Salford beat a weakened Warrington 48-24.
