WIDNES’S regular season campaign continued on a downward path with 34-0 defeat against Leeds Rhinos at Emerald Headingley Stadium.

It was the Vikings 15th successive league defeat and it had the air of a team that is simply waiting for the Qualifiers to start in three weeks time.

Widnes suffered from a couple of late drop-outs with hooker Aaron Hermaia and forward Chris Houston picking up knocks in training.

Back-rower Sam Wilde was drafted into the squad at the last minute with Brad Walker getting a place on the bench.

Winger Patrick Ah Van was also back in harness for the injured Stefan Marsh.

Leeds brought in prop Dom Crosby, newly arrived from Warrington Wolves, and Jimmy Keinhorst was given a bench spot having earlier spent some time on loan with the Vikings.

The Rhinos enjoyed the better of the early field-position but were met by resolute defence.

Vikings’ attacks were sporadic in the opening minutes with the cross-kick to the wing much in evidence.

On 15 minutes, Danny Walker found himself in the sin-bin and it proved to be the catalyst for Leeds to take control.

The Rhinos first try came when impressive dummy-half Brad Dwyer broke from his own half and batted off tackles from Olly Ashall-Bott and Owen Buckley to make it 4-0.

A half-break from Krisnan Inu saw his attempted inside pass to Joe Mellor go to ground and it was scooped up by Rhinos right winger Luke Briscoe who ran 60 metres to double his side’s advantage.

The Vikings were now completely on the back foot and ex-Widnes half-back Richie Myler went over on last tackle for a soft try he converted himself.

Matt Parcell replaced Dwyer at dummy-half for Leeds and was a real handful. It was the pacy Australian who finished off a bewildering handling move with Myler again goalling to make it 20-0 at half-time.

Widnes gave up possession bringing the ball away from their own line on the first set of the second half and the Rhinos took advantage as stand-off Joel Moon danced under the posts.

Leeds scored on their next attack when Tom Briscoe, brother of Luke, finished well at the corner from Ash Handley’s tip on to make it 30-0.

With the destination of the two Betfred Super League points already decided, the game began to meander.

A series of Leds handling errors offered opportunities to Widnes but there was a distinct lack of spark in the Vikings’ attack.

The Rhinos got the scoreboard ticking again when livewire fullback Jack Walker crashed in at the right corner to make it 34-0 on 70 minutes.

Mellor made a superb solo break but was stopped on the line by a high tackle from Walker but a basic handling error following the resulting pemalty saw the attack fizzle out.

When the game finally came to an end it was a relief to Vikings fans and given the serility of last 20 minutes, perhaps to Rhinos fans also.

Leeds: Walker; T Briscoe, Handley, Hall, L Briscoe; Moon, Myler, Garbutt, Dwyet, Singleton, Ablett, Sutcliffe, Cuthbertson. Subs: Oledzki, Keinhorst, Crosby, Parcell.

Widnes: Ashall-Bott; Buckley, Inu, Runciman, Ah Van; Mellor, Craven; T Chapelhow, D Walker, Dudson, Whitley, Hau, Leuluai. Subs: Wilde, B Walker, Albert, J Chapelhow.

Half-time: 20-0 Referee: Mr J Child Attendance: 10,977