Widnes give Prop Ben Kavanagh a 3-year Super League deal making him the first current player to get a new Super League contract.
June 2011
It was announced that the Vikings would keep current players Paddy Flynn and Steve Pickersgill through the 2012 season on their existing deals.
July 2011
Widnes announced the capture of Wigan Warriors Prop Ben Cross (formerly of Leeds Rhinos) on a one-year deal; they also recruited Second Rower Hep Cahill form Crusaders on a three-year deal. Another signing for the Vikings came in the form of off of contract Hull Kingston Rovers fullback Shaun Briscoe, also current player Macgraff Leuluai signed a two-year Super League deal after impressing the coaching staff in 2011. Three more current Widnes players signed Super League contracts: David Allen on a two-year deal, Thomas Coyle on a two-year deal and Kurt Haggerty on a one-year deal with the option of another year.
The 2012 Super League fixtures were announced with Widnes taking on Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at the Stobart Stadium on 3 February; this match was selected to be on Sky Sports. It marked the Vikings' first Super League game since 2005. Widnes signed centre Stefan Marsh on a one-year loan deal from fellow Super League club Wigan Warriors.
December 2011
The 2012 squad numbers were released. The Vikings lost their Boxing Day friendly 32–18 against arch rivals Warrington Wolves, the Vikings tries came from Scott Moore, Thomas Coyle and Danny Craven, Patrick Ah Van kicked all 3 goals.
Widnes kicked off their first year back in the Super League with a 32–14 loss to new-look Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, the Vikings looked good and took the lead with tries from Danny Craven, Patrick Ah Van and Hep Cahill with Ah Van kicking a goal however they surrendered to a late Wakefield fightback. The Vikings were destroyed by a rampant Huddersfield Giants side, the Giants came away with a 66–6 win with Widnes' sole try coming from Paddy Flynn while Ah Van kicked the goal. Widnes lost 38–18 to Salford City Reds with Ah Van scoring 2 tries and 2 goals with Flynn also scoring. Rhys Hanbury also kicked a goal. The Vikings were beaten 44–16 by the champions Leeds Rhinos, Ah Van, Hanbury and Flynn all crossed for tries whilst Ah Van kicked 2 goals.
March 2012
March did not start well for the Vikings as they lost 36–0 to Hull Kingston Rovers. However the week after the Vikings recorded their first win of the season and what a shock it was, trailing 36–18 with 30 minutes to go Widnes came back and beat Wigan Warriors 37–36 with Paddy Flynn, Stefan Marsh, Shaun Briscoe (2), Lloyd White and Frank Winterstein all scoring tries, on loan Gareth O'Brien kicked all 6 goals and White finished the scoring with a drop-goal. This victory was short lived after Hull F.C. dominated the Vikings the very next week, the game finished 58–10 in Hull's favour and Widnes got over through Fylnn twice, O'Brien added a goal. The Vikings recorded their 2nd win of the season by beating London Broncos 38–30 with White scoring 2 tries, Chris Dean, Rhys Hanbury, Ben Davies and Cameron Phelps all scoring and O'Brien added 7 goals. Widnes were losers in France when Catalans Dragons beat them 76–6 with Sione Kite scoring for the Vikings and O'Brien converting.
April 2012
Widnes started the Easter period with a 46–12 loss to local rivals Warrington Wolves, Chris Dean and David Allen both crossed for the Vikings with Patrick Ah Van converting both. The Vikings were outplayed by the Bradford Bulls and lost 38–4 with Rhys Hanbury crossing for their sole try. Widnes bowed out of the Challenge Cup but not before giving St Helens R.F.C. a massive scare by coming from 40–16 to just lose 40–38. Ah Van scored 2 tries and Lloyd White also crossed for 2, Kurt Haggerty, Hanbury and Hep Cahill also scored for the Vikings. Ah Van kicked 5 goals from 7 attempts. Wigan Warriors youngster Joe Mellor joined the Vikings on a months loan whilst hooker Scott Moore is sacked by Widnes and was snapped up by Huddersfield Giants. Widnes lost to St Helens R.F.C. for the 2nd time in 2 weeks but this time didn't get anywhere close to the Saints as they lost 62–0.
Widnes recorded their 3rd win of the season with a 26–22 win over the Huddersfield Giants, Patrick Ah Van, Rhys Hanbury, Ben Cross and Cameron Phelps all scored tries whilst Ah Van kicked 5 goals. Widnes lost to fellow basement battlers London Broncos 28–24 with Phelps scoring 2 tries and Frank Winterstein also scoring 2 and Ah Van kicked all 4 goals. Widnes suffered a 54–12 loss at the hands of Wigan Warriors, Cross scored his 2nd career try and Joe Mellor also scored against his parent club, Ah Van kicked both goals.
August started off with a 38–26 loss to Bradford Bulls, former Bull Patrick Ah Van scored 2 tries and kicked a goal, Rhys Hanbury also scored a try and kicked 2 goals whilst Ben Davies and Danny Craven also scored. Widnes were on the wrong end of a bad scoreline losing 68–24 to champions Leeds Rhinos. Stefan Marsh scored 2 tries, Frank Winterstein and Cameron Phelps also scored whilst Ah Van kicked 4 goals. Widnes recorded their 6th win of the season with an outstanding 42–16 over Hull FC. Shaun Briscoe and Willie Isa both scored 2 tries whilst Paddy Flynn, Winterstein, Craven and Hanbury all scored a try each. Craven kicked 2 goals and Paul McShane added a further 3 to seal the victory.
Source: superleague.co.uk and BBC Sport. Rules for classification: 1st on competition points; 2nd on match points difference. Competition points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0. (C) Champions; (L)League Leaders' Shield Winners Notes:
^Bradford Bulls deducted 6 points on 25 July 2012 for entering administration[1]
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