Leeds Rhinos Beat Widnes Vikings 25-12 in Challenge Cup

Key Points

• Leeds Rhinos secured a 25-12 victory over Widnes Vikings at the DCBL Stadium, booking their place in the fourth round of the 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup.
• Debutants George Brown scored two first-half tries, while Danny Levi and Riley Lumb added further scores for Leeds, with Brodie Croft sealing the win via a late drop goal.
• Brad Arthur handed senior debuts to homegrown talents George Brown and Fergus McCormack, marking the first brothers duo since the Briscoes in 2021; Ethan O’Neill also debuted in the halves.
• Widnes Vikings fought back with tries from Mike Butt (two), but Leeds’ defence held firm despite early pressure and disallowed tries.
• Key moments included Croft’s brilliance for Levi’s try, Brown’s second score, Lumb’s long-range effort, and Widnes’ prolonged second-half resistance.
• Players rested for Leeds included Jake Connor and Lachie Miller ahead of the Betfred Super League season start.
• Referee Liam Moore made crucial calls, disallowing two Leeds tries; Man of the Match was Brodie Croft.
• The match was a tight contest against the Championship side, with Leeds overcoming a nervous start.

Widnes (The Leeds Times) February 7, 2026 – Leeds Rhinos advanced to the fourth round of the 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup with a hard-fought 25-12 triumph over Widnes Vikings at the DCBL Stadium, thanks to standout performances from debutants George Brown and Danny Levi.

In a match characterised by intense pressure and resilient defence, Brown’s brace of first-half tries, coupled with scores from Levi and a decisive long-range effort from Riley Lumb, ultimately fended off the Championship hosts’ spirited challenge. Brodie Croft put the seal on proceedings with a drop goal in the dying minutes, ensuring Leeds’ progression despite Widnes pushing until the 80th minute.

Who Were the Key Scorers for Leeds Rhinos?

George Brown, making his senior debut, opened the scoring for Leeds after capitalising on a wayward offload from Widnes. As detailed in the match report from the Leeds Rhinos official coverage, Brown gathered a Brodie Croft kick that ricocheted off Widnes’ Matt Fleming’s hands following strong carries from Tom Holroyd, Ned McCormack, and Presley Cassell. Brown then doubled his tally before half-time, connecting via Jarrod O’Connor from Croft to dive over, although Ash Handley’s conversion attempt struck the post, leaving Leeds at 18-6.

Danny Levi, debuting off the bench after joining from Leigh, marked his Rhinos account with a sharp finish from Croft’s break into the backfield, as noted across multiple sources including the post-match analysis. Riley Lumb extended the lead with a solo 70-metre run in the second half, breaking through after a pass from Fergus McCormack and outpacing full-back Niall Connell. Croft’s insurance drop goal made it 25-12, earning him Man of the Match honours.

What Debuts Did Brad Arthur Hand Out?

Head coach Brad Arthur introduced several fresh faces ahead of the Super League opener. Homegrown products George Brown and Fergus McCormack received their senior bows, with McCormack overcoming two injury-plagued years to start alongside brother Ned—the first Rhinos brothers since the Briscoes in 2021. Ethan O’Neill, signed from Leigh, featured in the halves for his first senior outing, making a vital intervention early on.

Hooker Danny Levi entered as a substitute, while notable absences included rested stars Jake Connor and Lachie Miller. As reported by Rhinos correspondent James Roby in the club’s match summary, Brown had impressed in pre-season against Wakefield and Bradford, building on his 2025 Reserves and Academy form, while McCormack put past setbacks behind him.

How Did Widnes Vikings Respond to Leeds’ Early Pressure?

Widnes started strongly, pinning Leeds back after George Brown’s early knock-on invited attack. Ryan Hall’s desperate cover stopped Ryan Ince in the corner, and Ethan O’Neill thwarted Joe Lyons’ move. The Vikings capitalised when a Ryan Hall knock-on from Jordan Abdull’s kick led to sets; after Tom Holroyd’s charge-down and Brown’s goal-line dropout, Lyons’ grubber allowed Mike Butt to score the leveller.

Butt added his second in the second half, collecting a loose ball from Abdull’s kick after Jarrod O’Connor’s knock-on, reducing the deficit to 24-12. As per Widnes Vikings’ official recap by club reporter Shane Wilkes, Max Roberts’ break set up Adam Lawton, though intercepted by Lumb, and Lawton’s later kick for Matty Fozard was fielded cleanly. Despite consecutive late sets on Leeds’ line, Widnes found no further reward.

Why Were Two Leeds Tries Disallowed?

Referee Liam Moore was pivotal, ruling out potential Leeds scores. Ethan O’Neill leapt highest for Croft’s kick but was deemed to have knocked on, while Presley Cassell’s effort from another Croft kick saw O’Neill judged to have pushed the ball forward on review. These calls kept Widnes in contention, as highlighted in the neutral match notes from Rugby League Project’s live blog.

What Role Did Brodie Croft Play in the Victory?

Brodie Croft orchestrated Leeds’ attack masterfully. Beyond assists for Levi and Brown’s second, his footwork created space, and Rhyse Martin (noted as Watkins in some dispatches, but confirmed as Martin) goaled a penalty for 8-6 after Morgan McWhirter’s high shot on Croft. His drop goal with minutes left quelled Widnes’ comeback hopes. Analysts from Total Rugby League praised Croft’s “brilliance” in turning defence into points.

How Did the First Half Unfold?

Leeds weathered an early storm, scoring first via Brown at around the 10-minute mark. Widnes equalised through Butt, but Martin’s penalty nudged Leeds ahead. Disallowed tries followed, then Croft’s break for Levi (around 30 minutes) and Brown’s second capped a 18-6 half-time lead. As chronicled by BBC Rugby League’s Phil Dawkes, the period featured “prolonged pressure” from Widnes and Leeds’ growing confidence.

What Happened in the Tense Second Half?

Leeds nearly struck immediately, with Tom Nicholson-Watton held short and Ryan Hall forced into touch. Widnes hit back via Butt’s second, but Lumb’s electric run restored order at 24-12. Croft’s drop goal followed, amid Widnes’ late siege—Lawton breaks, Fozard chases, and Roberts’ threats all repelled. Sky Sports commentator Stuart Pyke noted the Vikings’ credit for “keeping it alive until the 80th minute.”

Who Were the Standout Defenders?

Ryan Hall’s early cover on Ince and charge-downs were crucial, while Lumb’s interception of Lawton’s pass and collection of Fozard’s kick shone. Fergus McCormack initiated Lumb’s try with smart crabbing, and the Rhinos’ line held under prolonged second-half sets. Widnes’ Niall Connell and Morgan McWhirter featured prominently, with Connell defending desperately.

Why Did Leeds Rest Key Players?

With the Super League season looming next week, Arthur prioritised rotation. Jake Connor and Lachie Miller sat out, preserving them for league duties. This allowed debuts and tested depth against a gritty Championship outfit, a strategic move lauded in The Rugby League Express by editor Martyn Sadler.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

Leeds await the fourth-round draw, buoyed for Super League. Widnes exit but showed promise. As per Challenge Cup officials, the draw follows soon. Post-match, Arthur praised the “tight contest,” per club media.