Castleford's winning start to the Super League season was derailed on Sunday by Widnes's dazzling first-half display.

The Vikings chalked up their first league win after storming into a 30-8 interval lead.

Cas clawed their way back in the second half but had left themselves with far too much to do.

Widnes rocked Castleford by going ahead after less than two minutes when Barry Eaton, Craig Weston and Daniel Frame made the opening for Jason Demetriou to go over.

The Tigers quickly replied when Andy Lynch and Richard Gay set up a ninth-minute try for second-rower Kyle Warren, and Wayne Bartrim kicked his second goal to put them 8-4 up.

But Castleford's defence then fell apart as the Vikings raced into a big lead with four more tries.

Lively half-backs Eaton and Weston sent in full-back Stuart Spruce after 13 minutes.

Eaton then went over from close range; Weston's kick created a touchdown for Chris Percival, and Weston shot through a massive gap to score himself.

Eaton finished the first half with five goals to put the Vikings virtually out of sight.

Castleford's fightback started when Jon Wells capitalised on Mitch Healey's kick to collect a 43rd-minute touchdown which Bartrim converted from the touchline.

Bartrim then converted his own try to reduce the arrears to 10 points.

But Eaton edged Widnes further ahead with a drop goal, and Castleford's only further reply was a 68th-minute try from their captain Danny Orr.

Castleford coach Graham Steadman admitted his side's poor first-half display had left them with far too much to do.

Steadman said: "To allow a team to score 30 points in the first half is extremely disappointing.

"We gave it our best shot in the second half and raised the tempo.

"We still felt we could turn it round. But the elements and one or two other things went against us, and it was beyond us."

Widnes coach Neil Kelly was delighted with his side's first league victory which followed a 15-14 home defeat against St Helens in their opening game.

He said: "It was frustrating the previous week to be so close to a point, maybe two points.

"The victory against Castleford will do us the world of good.

"We did not put Castleford under enough pressure early in the second half. But we dug in and got it right in the last 20 minutes."