LYNX'S best performance of the season deserved more than the scoreline suggests and with better referring they would have got it.

Widnes Vikings won 24-14 but a neutral would have found it difficult to believe that this was fifth against second bottom.

Lynx played with great commitment and enthusiasm - qualities rarely seen in this disappointing season.

The Lancashire side had to defend heavily in the opening minutes as the Vikings assaulted the Lynx line.

Lynx defended well but the attacks were remorseless and after 11 minutes the experienced second row George Mann exploded down the left wing scoring in the corner.

Mark Hewitt converted the try with a great kick from the touch line which glanced off the inside of the right hand upright.

Ten minutes later Lynx succumbed again and Gareth Adams who was a constant threat throughout the game bounced off the right-hand post protector to score under the sticks.

Hewitt converted and Lynx were 12-0 down.

After conceding a penalty, Lynx started to pressurise the Widnes line repeatedly and prop Lee Prest was making great inroads through the centre with his powerful driving.

Loose forward Tommy Hodkinson was working equally as hard and combining with Prest put centre Darren Abram over for a great try after 27 minutes.

Prest was involved again moments later when, after another powerful drive, he offloaded to stand off Neil Alexander.

He chipped the ball over the Widnes defence, taking them completely by surprise and was stopped eventually 10 metres from the Widnes try line. Playing the ball quickly, man of the match Doc Murray collected the ball and gleefully dived over the Vikings line.

Alexander converted to put Lynx with four points of their opponents.

The referee then took a hand when PJ Soloman was blatantly obstructed from making a tackle and Hewitt dived over the Lynx line for another Vikings try.

The referee inexplicably gave the try that probably turned the game for Widnes, because Lynx were certainly in the ascendancy at this point.

Lynx came out fighting in the second half with forwards Steve Gee, Martin Horton and hooker Andy Bennett causing chaos in the Widnes defence.

Winger Dave Ratcliffe was denied a try when he was held up under the Vikings posts.

Moments later Murray made a terrific run down the right wing before gifting the ball of Hodkinson who smashed his way over the line to again put Lynx within four points of the Vikings.

Lynx continued to play enterprising rugby and were unlucky not to score again.

Widnes threw the kitchen sink at the Lancashire defence, which for the most part held out extremely well, and considering some of the previous scorelines against Lynx this was a mammoth effort.

After 28 minutes and constant pressure Widnes Vikings made the breakthrough with substitute Mike Hill going over for a deserved try.

Mark Hewitt sealed the game for Widnes with his conversion and condemned Lynx to another defeat.

Lynx had played extremely well and perhaps the most pleasing aspect was their team spirit in the second half.

Without experienced players like Paul Hulme, Lee Hanson and the prodigious George Mann the Widnes side would be very ordinary indeed.

The last game of the season is against Keighley Cougars on August 29, kick-off 3pm.

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