Tom Makinson scored a hat-trick as St Helens survived a brief Widnes Vikings comeback to record a 44-22 win, which keeps them top of the Super League.

The Saints had opened up a 32-0 lead by the 44th minute at Langree Park, and although three tries in the space of four minutes gave Widnes hope heading into the climax, they could not make up the deficit.

Mark Flanagan quickly put the hosts on the board by crossing on six minutes, and Makinson got his first of the evening soon after before a double from 20-stone prop Mose Masoe put Nathan Brown's side clear.

Makinson and Jordan Tuenr added to those scores by both going over within five minutes of the restart, and a fourth successful kick from six by Mark Percival helped the Saints extend their lead further.

Widnes rallied out of nowhere as Cameron Phelps touched down twice between the 50th and 52nd minutes, before Stefan Marsh ran half the pitch to score the try of the night and make it 32-16.

Saints tries from Makinson, who completed his treble on the hour mark, and Wille Manu stalled their momentum, and although Rhys Hanbury crossed late on for the Vikings, they ended up falling well short.

St Helens remain two points clear of Leeds Rhinos in the table, but will have to cope without Luke Walsh, who was stretchered off with an ankle injury, for the rest of the season.