Swinton Lions 37 - 18 Rochdale Hornets

Photo: Alpha Photography

Swinton Lions v Rochdale Hornets

Hornets were caught napping as Swinton applied pressure from the kick off and Andy Ackers dived over from dummy half to score. Gaz O'Brien converted.

It wasn't long before Hornets were back on level terms. Great handling from Ryan Millard Wayne English break the tackle and split the defence and lay a pass to Robinson to score under the posts. Crook converted.

A fortunate ricochet on the last tackle caught Hornets out and let Mick Nanyn in to cross the line. O'Brien with the extras.

Swinton extended their lead with a superb play from Andy Ackers who drew in his marker, dropped his shoulder and darted through the gap in the sleeping Hornets defence. O'Brien on target with the kick.

Half way through the first half with Hornets in danger of letting Swinton race away with the game, a long pass out wide bounced and deceived the Swinton defence and Robinson went over in the corner. An excellent conversion by Crook from out wide brought the gap back to six points.

However, with the half time break fast approaching Swinton scored again when Hornets gave away a soft penalty and the tackling when Ed Barber broke for Swinton was woeful as he shrugged off two tackler before drawing in Wayne English and and feeding Chris Atkin who scored under the posts. O'Brien kicked his fourth out of four conversions.

Photo: Alpha Photography

Half time: Swinton Lions 24 - 12 Rochdale Hornets

Hornets started the second hlaf much better than the first and within minutes of the restart Ryan Millard showed his class as he danced through the Swinton defence to cross the line. Crook on target for the extras.

Hornets kept the pressure up and it came as a bitter blow when Swinton scored against the run of play. Swinton capitalised on a Hornets knock on and Ed Barber jinked his way through to score his first try for Swinton. O'Brien kept up his 100% kicking record to add the two and take Swinton back 12 points in front.

All went quiet on the scoring front until O'Brien dropped a goal and then kicked a penalty to extend Swinton's lead to 33 - 18 to put the game beyond doubt.

After the hooter Hornets gifted a soft try to Swinton throwing the ball around and losing it for Atkin to pick up and send Ed Barber in for a try.

Hornets fifth defeat in a row keeps them firmly rooted to the bottom of the Kingstone Press Championship and they need to start picking up points soon if they are to stave off relegation.

Photo: Alpha Photography

Attendance: 430

Swinton Lions: Chris Atkin, Jordan Burke, Mick Nanyn, Anthony Bowman, Richie Hawkyard, Gareth O'Brien, Ian Watson, Gavin Bennion, Andy Ackers, Mike Morrison, James Brown, Dareen Hawkyard, Martin Aspinall.
Replacements: Zach Johnson, Luke Menzies, Ed Barber, Lewis Hulme.

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Lewis Sheridan, Danny Davies, Stuart Littler, Shaun Robinson, Paul Crook, Ryan Millard, John Cookson, James Dandy, Warren Thompson, Chris Baines, Tony Suffolk, Joe Greenwood.
Replacements: Alex McClurg, Anthony Walker, Dave Llewellyn, James Tilley.

Referee: Mr G Hewer
Touch Judges: Mr C Etchill & Mr J Smith