Mark Percival and Tommy Makinson at the double as St Helens ease past Widnes

Mark Percival and Tommy Makinson both scored two tries as St Helens maintained their four-point cushion at the top of Super League with a comfortable 28-6 win at Widnes.

Percival’s two well-worked first-half tries laid the platform for Saints’ second win of the Easter weekend, with Makinson diving over for two trademark finishes after the interval.

The visitors ran in six tries in total, with Ryan Morgan starting the scoring and Ben Barba crossing in the second half, while Wellington Albert’s first Super League try, converted by Tom Gilmore, got Widnes on the board.

The Vikings also had a try ruled out by the video referee as Ryan Ince thought he had grounded the ball from a loose kick.

St Helens surged ahead in the seventh minute when Barba set up Morgan and Percival went over for his first try three minutes later. The latter was converted by Danny Richardson to give Saints an early 10-0 lead.

Widnes responded in the 25th minute when replacement Albert barged his way across the line but Percival’s second try and Richardson’s second and final goal of the contest restored the 10-point lead before the interval.

Widnes’ chances of a comeback were dashed early in the second half as, soon after Ince saw his effort disallowed, Barba found a gap to race over for a super solo effort. Replays of the movement appeared to show the full-back had bounced the ball on the line but the score was awarded.

The visitors did not let up, despite losing Luke Douglas for 10 minutes after an infringement in the ruck.

Minutes later Zeb Taia sent in Makinson for typical dive over in the corner to make it 24-6.

Saints, who threw on half-back Matty Smith for his first appearance of the season, kept up the intensity. Quick hands on the right edge saw Makinson stretch over for his second of the afternoon.

Resilient Widnes stuck at the task in hand and Tom Olbison’s charging run was the closest they came to putting more points but Barba’s speed bump tackle was enough to end that momentum.

The hosts kept plugging away at the end for a consolation but Saints’ defending was defiant as they completed the second half without conceding a point.