On many occasions this season it has been the games against the so-called lesser teams, and not the big sides, that have proved Hull FC's downfall.
But on the back of their Challenge Cup semi-final heroics against Warrington, the Black and Whites were in no mood to let Widnes put a major dent in their plans for a tilt at making another major final.
Having booked their place at Wembley, the worry was that Hull's league season could now fade away.
But with owner Adam Pearson warning that would not be acceptable, Hull made sure they built on their semi-final showing with a convincing thrashing of the Vikings at the KC Stadium.
Whilst not always at their best, once Hull broke clear, they found a clinical side to their game which allowed them to break clear and cross for 12 tries.
Now, with a Hull derby date on the agenda next week at MS3 Craven Park, Hull will be setting their sights on climbing back above the Robins in Super League ahead of the play-offs.
Heading into the clash with Widnes, FC had been dealt a blow with news that full-back Shannon McDonnell's injury had ended his season.
But, building on his impressive cameo earlier in the season, youngster Jamie Shaul deputised impressively and staked his claim for a cup final spot with a two-try display.
Defensively Hull were suspect at times, but it was in attack where they showed their skills, with Shaul in particular impressing with his support play.
The buzz of last week's cup semi-final win was clearly still in the air, but a shaky start in the opening 20 minutes gave little clue of the one-sided contest that was to follow.
Both sides were wasteful in possession early on, and when Widnes half-back Kevin Brown lost possession, he was punished by Daniel Holdsworth, who picked up the pieces and raced 80 metres to open the scoring against the run of play. Danny Tickle converted his score.
Any hopes of building on that position were dashed immediately though as Mark O'Meley spilled possession from the restart and Widnes hit back as Patrick Ah Van sent Cameron Phelps in at the corner. Jack Owens failed with the conversion.
Neither side looked ready to take control at this stage, but it was the Black and Whites who almost nudged themselves back in front, only for a possible Tom Briscoe score to be rightly ruled out for obstruction as he ran behind his own man.
Hull continued to pressure and when Jacob Miller forced a drop-out from under the posts, the pressure told as this time Briscoe did get over in the corner after excellent hands.
Widnes hit back and levelled though as Brown reacted quickly to touch down Joe Mellor's clever grubber kick, and at this stage, a nip-and-tuck affair looked on the cards.
However, once Gareth Ellis picked off an interception and combined with Miller to send Kirk Yeaman over in the corner, Hull had broken the Vikings' back and were about to take command.
Just after the half hour mark a rampaging run by Briscoe set up Shaul, who shot through like lightning to score from 40 metres out. Tickle added the conversion.
The impressive Shaul added another three minutes later, showing great support play as he latched onto Richard Whiting's break to grab his second, giving FC an 18-point half-time lead.
An error from Widnes at the start of the second period gave Hull the chance to extend their lead further, and back-to-back penalties brought a Tickle penalty goal.
More penalties for Hull followed after poor discipline from the Vikings, and when Joe Arundel then broke, Brown was sin-binned for holding down.
Minutes later Hull were in again.
A great long break from Briscoe was supported by Miller who finished off in style with a diving finish in the corner to complete a 60-metre, two man effort.
As Widnes fell apart, Miller was over again as he broke downfield, trading passes with Shaul to cross.
Briscoe added his second of the night as he scorched in, showing great pace to out run Handbury and proving he is still a class finisher given service.
With Widnes no longer at the races, Whiting took the opportunity to pile the agony on for the Vikings when he span in the tackle to bring up 50 points for Hull.
The final stages were all one-way traffic, with the visitors longing for the full-time hooter with the game gone.
But to Hull's credit, they showed a ruthless edge they are often accused of lacking as Aaron Heremaia, Joe Arundel and O'Meley crossed to take them past 70 points.
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
