Widnes Vikings’ first home league fixture of the season ended in defeat, as Dewsbury Rams came away from the DCBL Stadium 22-14 winners.
Tries from Matty Smith, Lloyd Roby and Ste Tyrer weren’t enough to secure the two points, as Dewsbury defended a lead from the opening five minutes until the final hooter.
Paul Sykes took advantage of a penalty in front of the sticks early on to nudge the Rams 2-0 in front before an error from Deon Cross handed the visitors the opening try of the game.
He dropped Sykes’ last tackle kick, with Joe Martin benefitting as the fullback pounced on the loose ball to score.
Widnes hit back after a charge-down from Kenny Baker set the Vikings on the attack, with Matty Smith dummying his way through the line to score from close range.
As both sides exchanged sets, it was Dewsbury who struck next, advancing into the Widnes half from a penalty before putting the ball through hands to send Will Oakes over in the corner.
In the final minute of the first half the hosts hit back, cutting the deficit to four points, as Jack Owens raced into a hole and found Roby with an offload who finished out wide.
The half ended soon after, as the Rams held a 12-8 lead at the break.
A double from Andy Gabriel inside the first 10 minutes of the second half built up a lead that the Vikings couldn’t claw back.
The first of the Dewsbury winger’s efforts was a gift, as Owens couldn’t get to Sykes’ bomb which led to the wide man crossing untouched before he collected a cross-field kick moments later.
Widnes worked their way into good positions but couldn’t find a way through until three minutes from time, when a great run from Adam Lawton set the platform for Tyrer to barge over on the left.
The centre converted his own effort, but it wasn’t enough to inspire a comeback as time wasn’t on the hosts’ side, with Danny Craven sin binned on the hooter.
Widnes Vikings: Jack Owens, Jayden Hatton, Ste Tyrer, Lloyd Roby, Deon Cross, Danny Craven, Matty Smith, Paul Clough, Lewis Else, Lee Jewitt, Shane Grady, Adam Lawton, Eribe Doro.
Interchanges: Brad O’Neill, Kenny Baker, Connor Dwyer, Will Tilleke.
Tries: Smith, Roby, Tyrer Goals: Owens 0/1, Tyrer 1/2
Dewsbury Rams: Joe Martin, Andy Gabriel, Adam Ryder, Keenen Tomlinson, Will Oakes, Paul Sykes, Liam Finn, Frazer Morris, Reiss Butterworth, Tom Garratt, Jason Walton, Michael Knowles, Chris Annakin.
Interchanges: Sam Day, Bayley Liu, James Beckett, Aaron Hall.
Tries: Martin, Oakes, Gabriel (2) Goals: Sykes 3/5
