The Vikings exited the Challenge Cup at the Third Round stage as they went down 25-12 to Super League heavyweights, Leeds Rhinos, at the DCBL Stadium.
Allan Coleman’s side pushed the fourteen-time cup winners all the way, but ultimately the Rhinos’ quality shone through as they booked their place in the fourth round.
The visitors hit the front inside 10 minutes as George Brown pounced on a spilled kick from Matt Fleming to score.
Widnes hit back quickly, Mike Butt gathering a perfectly weighted kick from Nathan Connell to cross out wide and level up proceedings.
A high shot on Brodie Croft from Morgan McWhirter allowed Kallum Watkins to slot a penalty goal and re-establish the Rhinos’ lead at the 20-minute mark.
Fatigue began to set in at the final stages of the first half, and Leeds took advantage, crossing for two quickfire tries from Danny Levi and a second for Brown to head into half-time with an 18-6 lead.
The Vikings toiled away in the second half, eventually getting their reward with a second try for Butt as he finished out wide after some neat work from Adam Lawton and Joe Lyons to keep the ball alive on the last.
Any hopes of pulling off the upset were dashed with ten minutes to go as Riley Lumb broke from deep to score a great solo try.
Brodie Croft added a drop goal late on to push the advantage to three scores and condemn the Vikings to a 25-12 defeat.
We turn our attention to an away trip to Workington Town next Sunday as we return to Betfred Championship action. Tickets are available HERE.
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Widnes Vikings: Connell, Butt, Fleming, Owens, Ince, Lyons, Abdull, Murray, Johnstone, Chapelhow, Roberts, Langtree, McWhirter
Interchanges: Fozard, Hall, Lawton, Bibby, Houghton (18th)
Tries: Butt x2
Goals: Abdull x2
Leeds Rhinos: Brown, Hall, Newman, N. McCormack, Lumb, Croft, O’Neill, Oledzki, O’Connor, Holroyd, Watkins, Cassell, Smith
Interchanges: Jenkins, Levi, Nicholson-Watton, F. McCormack, Littlewood (18th)
Tries: Brown x2, Levi, Lumb
Goals: Watkins x4
Drop Goals: Croft
ATTENDANCE: 2977
