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Swinton Lions 10 Oldham Roughyeds 52

Jeff Tyldesley
20/ 3/2008

SWINTON Lions rounded off a sad week for the club by exiting the Northern Rail Cup following a lifeless display against Oldham.

The club marked the recent deaths of three of their former players from the 1960s – Jim Hope, Vince Smith and the legendary centre Alan Buckley – with a minute’s applause prior to kick-off.

It was a fitting tribute by the club’s supporters, players and officials but the way Swinton defended against Oldham will have had the ex-Lions turning in their graves.

Swinton would have progressed to the knockout stage of the Northern Rail Cup had they beaten their League Two rivals Oldham.

But they played nowhere near well enough to achieve that goal and the final group four table shows Swinton lying rock bottom.

Oldham, lead by half backs Neil Roden and James Coyle, tore Swinton apart. The Roughyeds were immense right across the pitch with ex-Lions Mick Nanyn and Phil Joseph among many Oldham players who posed a constant threat.

The game was as good as over after just 22 minutes of play with Oldham having stormed into a 22-0 lead with tries by Jason Boults, Nanyn (2) and Danny Halliwell.

Rob Ball gave the Lions renewed hope, bashing through from close range on 29 minutes.

But Swinton then suffered the misfortune of losing the impressive Craig Ashall, who was stretchered off with a leg injury.

And the mood in the Swinton camp worsened when Barry Hamilton had a touch down ruled out and tries from Marcus St Hilaire, James Coyle and Joseph put the visitors 38-6 ahead.

Hodson’s perspiration then lay the foundation for Gary Sykes to wriggle over for Swinton, despite an immensely powerful hit from St Hilaire at full back.

But normal service was resumed with an Alex Wilkinson brace and a Craig Littler try capping off a comprehensive win for Oldham.

There is no shame in losing to the League Two title favourites, especially when you are missing the likes of Dean Gorton, Rob Line and Marlon Billy. But, with group stage qualification at stake, Swinton’s fans will have expected the game to be a lot closer than it was.

Team: English; Hamilton, Sykes, Hull, Mirfield; Hawkyard, Hulse; Ball, McGovern, Tyrer, Hodson, Bryers, Ashall. Subs used: Wood, Moana, Bibey, Hayes. Tries: Ball, Sykes. Goal: Hawkyard. Attendance: 549.