The Vikings booked their place in the third round of the Betfred Challenge Cup with a 76-0 triumph over Thatto Heath Crusaders this afternoon.
Allan Coleman’s side ran out convincing winners at Crusader Park to set up a mouth-watering clash with Super League heavyweights, Leeds Rhinos.
Widnes opened the scoring after just five minutes as Jay Chapelhow strolled through the Crusaders’ line following some neat play from Nathan Connell.
The lead was extended as Mike Butt completed a brace, reacting quickest to hack the ball on and score his first before finishing in the corner for his second after a cut-out pass from the impressive Connell.
Sam Wilde and Joe Edge then crossed in quick succession, both powering over from short range to establish a 22-point advantage with 25 minutes on the clock.
Matty Fozard got in on the act shortly after coming on, burrowing his way over for a textbook hookers try.
Tries from Ryan Ince and Jack Owens closed out the half, with fullback Connell once again influential as the Vikings went into the break with a commanding 38-0 lead.
Shortly after the restart, Mike Butt completed his hat-trick with a smart finish in the corner before Matty Fozard bagged his brace straight from the scrum to further stretch the lead.
Connell capped a standout display with a debut try, dancing past two defenders from an inside pass to score under the posts, before crossing again soon after following an offload from Jordan Abdull.
Edge then completed a brace of his own, taking a short pass to score out wide, before Jordan Johnstone added another under the posts to bring up the 70-point mark.
Wilde crossed for his second of the afternoon on the final play after being fed by Joe Lyons to put the finishing touches on a dominant 76-0 win for the Vikings.
We turn our attention to a big clash with North Wales Crusaders in Round Two of the Betfred Championship, as the Vikings make their return to the DCBL Stadium for the first time in 2026. Tickets are available HERE.
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Thatto Heath Crusaders: Leicester, Gilford, Saunders, Kenyon, Phillips, Forshaw, Houghton, Lea, Kenny, Siyani, Holroyd, Buckley, Carr
Interchanges: Wilson, Tracey, L. Foster, Ashurst, C. Foster (18th)
Tries:
Goals:
Widnes Vikings: Connell, Butt, Owens, Edge, Ince, Lyons, Abdull, Murray, Johnstone, Chapelhow, Wilde, Langtree, Gregson
Interchanges: Fozard, McWhirter, Taylor, Houghton, Bibby (18th)
Tries: Butt x3, Fozard x2, Connell x2, Edge x2, Wilde x2, Chapelhow, Ince, Owens, Johnstone
Goals: Abdull x7, Edge
