IF body language is anything to go by, Frank Endacott's players are dead men walking and Widnes are already relegated.

Opponents Hull cruised to a comprehensive 40-20 victory to condemn the home side to a fourth consecutive defeat at an eerily quiet Halton Stadium.

Head coach Endacott had talked about 'releasing the pressure valve' on his beleagured players after last week's defeat to relegation rivals Wakefield had opened up a five-point mountain to climb, and the five thousand die-hard fans had been hoping for some entertaining rugby.

But a hat-trick from Hull's centre Kirk Dixon, a Super League novice making his first start, combined with almost inevitable basic handling errors and missed tackles from Widnes, meant the they rarely threatened the Yorkshiremen's 18-8 halftime lead, despite late tries from Gray Viane and Daniel Frame.

Instead with just six games to go, and Wigan, Warrington and Bradford still to face, they are left with their very much self-made mission impossible.

For a full report plus more Vikings news, see this week's Widnes World.