‘We haven’t lost in the red kit’: Will ‘galvanised’ Rams turn to ‘special’ anniversary shirt for Vikings contest after back-to-back last-second defeats?
Dewsbury Rams welcome Widnes Vikings to FLAIR Stadium this Sunday (April 12, kick off 3pm) on the back of two last-second heartbreaking defeats.
The Rams have been beaten in dramatic fashion against Sheffield Eagles, 18-16, and then at Batley Bulldogs, 21-20, in the Heavy Woollen derby on Good Friday, in their past two outings.
Out of a total of 180 minutes across both games, Dewsbury were only behind for barely 90 seconds.
“Defeats like last week at Batley and against Sheffield will galvanise us,” head coach Paul March told the Reporter Series. “We had the weekend off to regroup and it will bring us closer together as a group. We will regroup as a team.”
In their four Betfred Championship defeats in 2026, the Rams have only lost by a combined margin of 17 points - and 12 of those came in one game at home to Barrow Raiders in a 20-8 defeat.
March said: “You can look at the fixtures we have played and we could have easily been eight wins from eight and sitting pretty at the top.
“We will learn from what has happened.”
In all those defeats, the Dewsbury players have worn the club’s home kit. The same predominantly black colours were even used in the 46-0 thrashing at Oldham Roughyeds in the Challenge Cup.
In three fixtures in the away red kit - which was not used in Good Friday’s trip to Mount Pleasant - in 2026, March’s men have a 100 per cent record.
Is it time to wear it at home against the Vikings this weekend?
March said: “We like playing in the red kit! We haven’t lost in it. It is our 30-year anniversary kit and it is special to the club.
“It is a pity we didn’t wear it against Batley but we will learn from what we have done.”
Asked what his thoughts were on Widnes’ start to 2026, March replied:
“They are another quality team. I watched them in the Challenge Cup against Leeds Rhinos, and they are a very good Championship side with some big forwards who carry well.”
The Rams will be without young star forward Harvey Roberts and the experienced Danny Addy, who scored his first try for the club at Batley, due to both failing HIA’s.