Dewsbury Rams 30 Widnes Vikings 36: Spurr hat-trick fails to earn Dewsbury points

When Chris Spurr crossed for his hat-trick try in the 68th minute, converted by Pat Walker, Dewsbury looked to have wrapped the game up at 30-22.

However Vikings stand-off Anthony Thackeray gave his side hope with a try which Shane Grady improved before Thackeray broke and raced over to complete his hat-trick.

Grady again landed the goal and also added an injury-time penalty to complete the Vikings comeback.

Spurr opened the scoring with a third-minute try which Walker converted but Thackeray and James Webster replied with tries for the Vikings with Grady landing both goals before Rams winger Bryn Powell grabbed a superb try to make it 12-10.

Grady scored and converted for Widnes but Walker replied for the Rams to make it 16-14 at half time.

Spurr had the strength to stretch over the line. Walker converted and added a penalty to put the Rams 22-16 ahead only for Chris Gerrard to reply for the Vikings and Grady's conversion levelled matters.

Walker edged Dewsbury back in front with a penalty before Spurr completed his hat-trick and Walker added the touchline conversion.

However the Rams were cruelly denied a first victory as Widnes struck late on to take the points.

Dewsbury Rams: Hayes, Powell, Spurr, Turner, Sanderson, Brambani, Walker, Hirst, Emmett, England, Lockwood, Bostock, Faal. Substitutes: Stenchion, Robinson, Blake, Wandless.

Widnes: Yates, Flynn, Kohe-Love, Grady, Gardner, Thackeray, Webster, Davies, Smith, Gannon, Doran, Varkulis, Gerard. Substitutes: Coyle, Kavanagh, Strong, Houghton.

Referee: R Laughton (Barnsley).