And, it was the Patient brothers – Will and Jamie – that got them on their way.

The victory lifts Widnes into fifth place in Counties 1 Lancashire & Cheshire. Leigh continue to do it tough though after this latest defeat, which leaves them five points adrift of second bottom Sefton with just eight rounds of the competition left.

The dreadful weather during the week meant that the game was in doubt right up until the eleventh hour. But thanks to the efforts of a number of ever willing volunteers who turned up at the Club armed with garden forks, helped clear the standing water from the pitches so that all three home fixtures could go ahead.

When the game did get underway in freezing temperatures and a gale forced wind, it was the visitors who secured most of the early possession and field position assisted by their dominance in the lineout and a not-so-good Widnes kicking game.

As a consequence, Leigh were able to take the lead after 13 minutes when stand off Alex Leadbetter converted a penalty.

Both possession and opportunities continued to pass Widnes by, that was until the 30th minute when a mix up in the Leigh defence, saw Josh Kenyon touch down and give his side the lead.

That seemed to act as the catalyst for better times ahead for the Wids, and just four minutes later they were able to attack again, where Jack Krause’s inside pass found the supporting and ever willing Will Patient who crossed for their second try of the afternoon.

Almost straight away, a barnstorming run-in midfield from player of the match Arnie Haydock laid the platform for Jamie Patient to score the ‘red-and-blacks’ third try inside ten minutes which gave his side a 15 – 3 half-time advantage.

Widnes made a couple of changes at the break with both Liam Lawton and Tom Spencer coming on, and they would soon to be joined by Pawel Makles who replaced Mike Garrity who had to leave the field with a back injury.

The game reached the hour mark without any further changes on the scoreboard. That was until Liam Lawton made a long-range break only to lose his footing as the line beckoned.

After that, blink and you might have missed something, as it suddenly all became a bit frantic.

First, Leigh had a man sent to the sin-bin. Then, just a minute later, a second player from the visiting side was also invited by the official to warm his heels on the side line, before awarding Widnes a penalty try as a result of the misdemeanour.

Not long afterwards – and with Leigh down to 13 men – the Wids pack got to work close to the line allowing Mike Jones to touch down for yet another score.

Not to be outdone, the visitors soon replied as prop forward Connor Braddock burrowed his way over the line for a well-deserved, albeit consolation effort.

Meanwhile, the home side were not finished yet, and almost immediately attacked again from distance which ended with full-back Ciaran O’Donnell crossing for a try wide out and Josh Salter booting over an excellent touchline conversion.

Straight away, another flowing move saw Jamie Patient link up to cross for his second try of the afternoon, whilst Salter was again on hand to add a further two points from the touchline.

Next, there was an exciting kick and chase which almost saw Josh Kenyon win the race to touch down.

The best, though, was saved till last, as quick hands freed up Jack Krause on the right wing to race home from 60 metres for the final try of the afternoon to finally wrap things up.

Head coach Andy McIntosh said afterwards “We were looking for a strong bounce back this week and the lads responded in the best possible way.

We were much improved in all aspects of our play after a stronger start by Leigh. Our pack set the platform in very tough conditions and we finished off with some well worked tries. We now move on to Liverpool St Helens next week who are flying this year, so it is another big game”.

Widnes: C O’Donnell, J Krause, J Patient, R Millington, G Hatton, J Salter, J Kenyon, A Haydock, B Mercer, S Whitty, M Garrity, K Arndell, M Jones, W Patient, T O’Neill. Reps: P Makles, L Lawton, T Spencer.