Paul Sykes makes history but much-changed Dewsbury Rams knocked out of 1895 Cup by rampant Widnes Vikings
A much-changed Dewsbury Rams were knocked out of the 1895 Cup by Widnes Vikings at the first hurdle in a game where Paul Sykes made history.
Rugby legend Sykes made his first competitive start for the Rams in 2026 in his record-breaking 28th season, but Widnes were in no mood for sentiment as they ran in nine tries - including a hat-trick for Nathan Connell - to secure a 50-10 victory at FLAIR Stadium.
Paul March made six changes to the 17 which lost to the same opponents in the Championship last weekend, including handing a debut to Dewsbury Celtic youngster Sam Spencer, while there were also starts for George Rayner and Luke Mearns.
And the hosts opened the scoring inside three minutes when Jacob Hookem saw a gap and dived over from dummy half before converting his own try.
However, the Rams’ lead was short-lived as Daniel Murray forced himself over after a repeat set.
Danny Langtree extended the Vikings’ advantage despite the best efforts from the Rams defence, before Connell scored the visitors’ third try of the game after a clever grubber kick from Joseph Lyons allowed Connell to dot the ball down under the sticks.
As the first half progressed it was one way traffic as the Vikings took control, Connell scoring his second try after he broke the Rams’ defence on the halfway line and was clear to score under the uprights.
The second half started as the first half ended as the Rams fumbled the kick off, resulting in a goal line drop out and Kieran Taylor going over the Rams’ line.
Hookem then scored his second try of the game before injuries ended Spencer and Mearns’ game prematurely.
Morgan McWhirter then extended the visitors' account before Taylor scored his second try from a scrum.
Connell then completed his hat-trick by swerving around the Dewsbury defence to score a simple try under the sticks.
Joe Edge then went in to make it 50 points as the Vikings easily progressed into the next round.
Assistant coach Conor Turner said: “We made quite a few changes in terms of personal as a chance to give some lads minutes on the field, but that doesn’t play into the fact that they still know the job and they still know their roles, so the scoreline probably flatters Widnes a bit, but when you give opportunities to a team like that with quality, they’re going to score points and they’re going to punish you.”