Three tries in the space of five minutes just before half-time looked to have put Widnes on course for a regulation win before Dewsbury produced a sterling second-half fightback.
Defeat was particularly harsh on Rams centre Andrew Bostock who scor
ed a hat-trick of tries.
Dewsbury took the lead when Bostock powered over and Pat Walker added a fine touchline goal. Richard Fletcher barged over for the Vikings and Gavin Dodd converted to level before Bostock went over wide on the left and Walker added an excellent conversion.
Widnes substitute Ben Kavanagh dived over and Dodd converted to kickstart a purple patch for the Vikings. Prop Jim Gannan stretched over and Dodd converted before Sam Barlow crashed between the posts and Dodd's goal put the visitors 24-12 ahead at half-time.
Dewsbury produced an excellent second-half effort and hit back after 46 minutes with the impressive Bostock completing his hat-trick. Dodd replied with a try at the other end, but was unable to convert and Widnes were put under severe pressure.
Scrum-half Dean Lawford raced over for the Rams and Walker's conversion gave Dewsbury hope. But although Dewsbury tried hard in the final 10 minutes their efforts were in vain. Bob Beswick landed a last-minute drop-goal from 40 metres out to seal victory.
Dewsbury Rams: Hall, Powell, Langley, Bostock, Buchanan, Walker, Lawford, Trinder, Finn, Maloney, Robinson, Glassie, Weeden. Substitutes (all used): Haigh, Rourke, Wilson, Helme.
Widnes Vikings: Hardman, Gaskell, Crookes, Patterson, Dodd, Beswick, Duffy, Morrison, Smith, Gannan, Hill, Fletcher, Gallagher. Substitutes (all used): Grady, Barlow, Draper, Kavanagh.
Referee: R Laughton (Barnsley).
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