Leeds Rhinos booked their place in the fourth round of the 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup as tries from debutants George Brown and Danny Levi secured a 25-12 win over Widnes Vikings at the DCBL Stadium.

In a tight contest with the Championship side, Brown’s two first-half tries, as well as scores from Levi and a long-range effort from Riley Lumb fended off the Vikings’ challenge, before Brodie Croft sealed the result with a drop goal in the final minutes.

Brad Arthur handed debuts to homegrown products George Brown and Fergus McCormack as the Rhinos kicked off their Cup campaign on the road. Brown caught the eye of Rhinos fans during both pre-season matches against Wakefield and Bradford after impressing in 2025 for the Reserves and Academy squads, whilst McCormack put an injury-hampered two years behind him to make his first senior start for the club. He joined his brother Ned in the lineup to become the first brothers to represent the Rhinos since the Briscoes in 2021.

Ethan O’Neill made his first senior appearance in the halves after joining the Rhinos from Leigh during the off-season, whilst hooker Danny Levi debuted off the bench. Jake Connor and Lachie Miller were amongst the players rested ahead of the start of the Betfred Super League season next week.

The away side were on the back foot in the first minutes after a knock on by Brown invited the Vikings to get the first chance for points. Good work by Ryan Hall prevented Ryan Ince from being posted over in the corner, before Ethan O’Neill made an important intervention to stop a move by Joe Lyons as the Rhinos survived.

After a nervous start, Leeds made sure to take their chance for points as Brown opened his senior account. Gaining the ball back following a wild offload from the Vikings, Leeds pushed their way close to the line with Tom Holroyd, Ned McCormack and Presley Cassell, before Brodie Croft’s kick on the last tackle came back off the hands of Matt Fleming into the arms of Brown for the first points of the game.

Widnes refused to lie down following their positive start and the Vikings got their reward with a period of prolonged pressure on the Leeds try line. A knock on by Ryan Hall as the winger returned Jordan Abdull’s kick handed the home side possession to attack for the first of three sets. After a Tom Holroyd charge down and goal line drop out conceded by Brown, Widnes fired the ball through hands to Lyons, who dabbed a deft kick for Mike Butt to chase and score.

Approaching the 20-minute mark, Leeds opted to take the points on offer when Croft was hit high by Morgan McWhirter and Watkins’ boot swung the ball through the posts to make the score 8-6.

Chances continued for both sides as the half progressed, led by two disallowed scores by Leeds. Widnes thought they had a second try when a break by Max Roberts set up the Vikings deep in the Rhinos’ half of the field, but Riley Lumb easily intercepted Adam Lawton’s pass to cut off a wide move. Leeds responded as Ethan O’Neill leapt highest to take Croft’s kick, but referee Liam Moore disallowed the try for a knock on.

The referee was called into another decision as another Croft kick wasn’t dealt with by Widnes and Cassell thought he had a try. On review, O’Neill was judged to have pushed the ball forward into Cassell’s arms as a second score was agonisingly disallowed.

After an intense 30 minutes, the Rhinos made breathing room on the scoreboard thanks to some brilliance from Croft. The half back’s footwork caught Widnes’ line napping as he broke into the backfield, and passed inside for sub Danny Levi to open his account for his new club.

Croft also played his part in getting the Rhinos downfield for a third try of the game – the former Red Devil connecting with Jarrod O’Connor to set Brown up for his second score of the afternoon. Watkins hit the post with his conversion attempt, but the Rhinos held a confident 18-6 lead at the break.

The visitors almost began the second half with points as Tom Nicholson-Watton was halted short of the try line before Connell desperately defended Newman’s kick ahead. Hall was also forced over the sideline by resolute defence, but the Rhinos gave the travelling fans a chance for an early cheer.

To their credit, the Vikings kept creating chances and fighting to keep themselves in the tie. Lawton found a break to kickstart an attack, but the forward’s optimistic kick ahead for Matty Fozard was easily collected by Lumb. A knock on by O’Connor moments later put Leeds back on defensive duties, and Widnes took full advantage as Butt collected a loose ball following an Abdull kick to cut the Leeds lead to six points.

The Rhinos were able to quieten the home crowd as a fantastic solo effort from Riley Lumb settled the contest. Fergus McCormack did well to start the attack by crabbing across the Widnes defence, and as his pass from Lumb, the Rhinos winger found a seam to break through before showcasing his speed to get past full back Connell to take the score to 24-12.

Man of the Match Croft nudged a drop goal between the posts as an insurance score with minutes remaining. The Vikings pushed the game all the way to the 80^th minute with consecutive sets close to the Rhinos' try line, but to no reward as the Rhinos booked their place in the fourth round draw with a 25-12 result.

Teams

Vikings

23. Nathan Connell, 2. Mike Butt, 1. Matt Fleming, 3. Jack Owens, 5. Ryan Ince, 6. Joe Lyons, 22. Jordan Abdull, 8. Dan Murray, 9. Jordan Johnstone, 21. Jay Chapelhow, 12. Max Roberts, 16. Danny Langtree, 18. Morgan McWhirter

Subs: 14. Matty Fozard, 15. Lewis Hall, 19. Adam Lawton, 20. Jack Bibby (18^th Man – 28. Jack Houghton)

Tries: Butt (14, 57)

Goals: Abdull 2/2

Rhinos

27. George Brown, 5. Ryan Hall, 24. Ned McCormack, 3. Harry Newman, 22. Riley Lumb, 6. Brodie Croft, 16. Ethan O’Neill, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Jarrod O’Connor, 10. Tom Holroyd, 11. Kallum Watkins, 28. Presley Cassell, 17. Cameron Smith

Subs: 15. Cooper Jenkins, 26. Tom Nicholson-Watton, 23. Danny Levi, 28. Fergus McCormack (18^th Man – 25. Ben Littlewood)

Tries: Brown (4, 34), Levi (31), Lumb (65)

Goals: Watkins 3/4

Penalties: Watkins 1/1

Drop Goal: Croft (74)