WIDNES Vikings travel to struggling champions Leeds Rhinos on Sunday hoping to bounce back from the bitter disappointment of their narrow Challenge Cup exit.

The eight-day turnaround has given the players a short time to “mourn” after a late Warrington penalty ended their Wembley dreams.

Now they must take the enthusiasm and energy they showed against Wolves as they seek to secure the two points that will as good as secure them a place in the Super 8s.

Reflecting on the cup exit Vikings boss Denis Betts said: “It was a tough pill to swallow at that stage where we had worked so hard.

“It was very sombre and downbeat afterwards.

“There were lots of things missing in the game – we created opportunities, but our accuracy was off and we over-run the ball once or twice.

“Our effort, determination and energy to get that win was pretty apparent throughout the game.

“A couple of things went against us and fell for them.

“To lose with a penalty, after scoring equal tries, was tough to take.

“The frustrating thing watch it back was that it was there for us to win.

“They have had a couple of days to mourn a little bit. It was an opportunity to be in a semi final stripped away from us.”

Earning special praise from Betts was the display of Australian back-row Chris Houston, who played the full 80 minutes after spending two weeks out of action with mumps.

There were plans to rotate the back row, but Chris Dean’s early injury scuppered that.

Betts is hopeful that the injury is dead leg rather than a pull or a tear.

Of the other casualties Stef Marsh is not far away and will get a tough week at training to assess his fitness.

Eamonn O’Carroll remains sidelined with nerve damage.

Last year’s treble winners Leeds swept all before them, but despite a top-notch roster they have failed to cope with the departures of Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield, the early season training field difficulties and a series of injuries.

This has left them anchored to the foot of the Super League table and they seem destined to be playing for their top-flight survival the Middle 8s when the division splits at the end of July.

But they have suddenly begun to string wins together, with successes at Wakefield and at home to Salford giving them half a chance that they could still win their remaining four games and sneak into the eight.

That will make it a tougher test for Betts’ men.

He said: “It is important to re-assess where we are today because this next run of games is a pretty important.

“Our effort and enthusiasm gives us something to build on going to Headingley.

“Leeds have a star-studded international side and they were always going to turn some effort into wins.

“But our focus has got top be on ourselves.

“Whatever happens to Leeds is up to them, they have a pretty tough run-in so if they are to get anywhere near they have to win the all four, but they have still got quality in their side.

“You don’t expect a side that dominated domestically last year to be at the bottom of the table.”

Sunday’s game kicks off at 3pm.