Widnes Vikings v Dewsbury Rams, match report

The Yorkshire visitors never trailed at the DCBL Stadium as they made it two wins from two, having previously beaten Whitehaven.

Vikings were eager to chase though and kept pegging back Dewsbury’s lead in the first half but struggled to do so after the break when two tries in eight minutes proved to settle the outcome.

All pictures by Richard Walker

A Joe Martin try converted by Paul Sykes in the 15th minute added to Sykes’ earlier penalty success.

Matty Smith weaved a route to the line to cut the arrears for Vikings seven minutes later.

The Rams’ eight-point advantage was restored when Will Oakes crossed but a minute before the break Lloyd Roby finished off a Jack Owens break, leaving Vikings 12-8 adrift.

When Owens dropped a high kick two minutes into the new half Andy Gabriel cashed in for Dewsbury and he won the ball in the air from Sykes’ kick six minutes later as Dewsbury’s lead was extended to 22-8.

Three minutes from time Ste Tyrer powered over for Vikings after a strong run by Adam Lawton but it was too little too late.

Danny Craven was sin-binned on the hooter but it had no impact on the game and Vikings, having drawn their opener at Newcastle Thunder, are left still searching for their first league win of the campaign.

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. Subs: Brad O’Neill, Kenny Baker, Connor Dwyer, Will Teleke.