The visiting fans, housed on a terrace behind a set of goalposts, set the tone for an ugly atmosphere when they threw a smoke canister on the pitch before kick-off.
Their mood grew worse as Warrington opened the scoring in the 16th minute when full-back Hodgson ushered Simon Grix over.Stefan Ratchford added the extras and another smoke canister was thrown from the away end.
Angry Widnes fans then clashed with stewards, forcing police officers to wade in and apprehend the troublemakers.
Officers then moved quickly to stop the Warrington fans from spilling out of the home stands and prevent the trouble escalating.
The visitors’ woes were compounded by the loss of hooker Grant Gore, who came off with a leg injury.
But Widnes scored a fine try on the half hour when Owens grounded Kevin Brown’s kick in the right corner and then Hodgson required lengthy treatment before he departed.
Ratchford was moved to full-back, before 12-man Widnes gradually assumed control.
In the 55th minute, Ah Van plunged over in the left corner from Rhys Hanbury’s exquisite long pass and Owens scampered clear for his second from Joe Mellor’s kick.
WARRINGTON – Try: Grix. Goal: Ratchford.
WIDNES – Tries: Owens (2), Ah Van. Goals: Owens (2).
Widnes win marred by fighting
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