Steve McCormack got his Widnes career off to a winning start as the relegated Vikings overcame their Super League neighbours Warrington at Halton Stadium.

Two tries from Vikings second row Paul Alcock put the seal on victory as a side featuring 11 debutants - including Australian full-back David Peachey - secured bragging rights over their arch-rivals.

New signing Gavin Dodd and Bob Beswick had put the Vikings on course with tries in the first half.

Dodd's effort came after Wolves captain Lee Briers sent a loose pass to the ground on the left flank. Dodd was the quickest to react and outpaced the Warrington defenders to touch down.

Wolves hit back 10 minutes later through former Vikings winger Richie Barnett, who finished off a smart Warrington counter-attack.

Widnes replied straight away through Beswick, who latched onto another dropped ball from the Warrington backs to score and burly centre Mick Nanyn added the extras.

Barnett sneaked in in the corner for his second to bring the Wolves back within two points just before the break and they went ahead seven minutes into the second period with a well-worked try from Chris Riley.

In a real see-saw affair, Nanyn got on the end of Mark Smith's neat cut-out pass to power over and swing the advantage once again.

Nanyn converted to make the scoreline 16-12 but the Wolves put themselves back in the frame through Mike Wainwright's 61st-minute effort, with Chris Bridge converting.

But resilient Widnes kept persevering and they got the try they were searching for through youngster Alcock, who then added another soon after to settle the match.