Swinton Lions 20 - 16 Rochdale Hornets

Rochdale Hornets battled hard with 12 men but lost at Sedgley Park to local rivals Swinton Lions, a result that cost Hornets their place in the top five.

Gaz Langley’s sending off meant that Hornets had to play 70 minutes of the game with a man less than Swinton.

Things started badly for Hornets as they lost possession with the first carry of the game and then gave away a penalty defending their line.

On the back of that penalty Swinton opened the scoring, a clever pass from Stuart Littler sent Shaun Robinson over in the corner. Ian Mort went close with his conversion attempt from the touchline as it struck the crossbar.

Things went from bad to worse when Langley was sent off after nine minutes for dissent.

Despite being a man down Hornets responded well and levelled the game when Wayne English sliced his way through the defence to score against his former club. Paul Crook’s conversion attempt was just wide.

Swinton went back in front as they switched the play from left to right and Andy Thornley went through a gaping hole to touch down. Mort converted.

Swinton’s man advantage started to tell, with Mick Govin sending Chris Rothwell through a gap on the left edge and the centre raced away to score a converted try.

Hornets enjoyed a period of pressure at the back end of the half but couldn’t break the Swinton defence.

Half time: Swinton Lions 16- 4 Rochdale Hornets

Swinton would have extended their lead early on in the second half but for a brilliant try saving tackle on Rothwell from Dave Hull.

Hornets put themselves within six points of Swinton after a third consecutive set on their opponents line ended in Dale Bloomfield plucking Crook’s cross field kick out of the air to score next to the posts. Crook added the extras.

Swinton hit back as a repeat set gave them a great chance and substitute Chris Atkin put Grant Beecham through a hole with a flat ball, and the second rower scored. Mort knocked his conversion attempt wide.

Hornets refused to lie down and a well worked scrum move found Lee Paterson in space and the centre raced 50 metres to score a sensational try. Crook put Hornets within four points with his conversion.

In the remainder of the game the Hornets players gave the little energy they had left to try and find the game winning score but came up just short, with the players dead on their feet at the sound of the full-time hooter.

The defeat means that Swinton occupy fifth spot, leaving Hornets with it all to do if they are to secure a place in the play-offs as only six league games remain.

Swinton Lions: Richie Hawkyard, Shaun Robinson, Stuart Littler, Chris Rothwell, Ian Mort, Mick Govin, Ben White, Jordan James, Andy Ackers, Mike Morrison, Andy Thornley, Grant Beecham, Rob Lever
Substitutes: Connor Dwyer, Josh Barlow, Chris Atkin, Ben Austin.

Rochdale Hornets: Wayne English, Gareth Langley, Lee Paterson, Dave Hull, Dale Bloomfield, Ryan Smith, Danny Yates, Danny Jones, Paul Crook, Warren Thompson, Danny Bridge, James Dandy, Jordan Case.
Substitutes: James Tilley, Matty Haggerty, Alex McClurg, Matty Hadden.

Referee: Matt Thomason

Attendance: 494