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Hunslet 6 Swinton Lions 17

Jeff Tyldesley
5/ 6/2008

SWINTON scraped a narrow win against Hunslet Hawks to end an alarming four-game losing streak and claw themselves back into the seventh and final play-off place in National League Two.

The Lions only really looked the superior side when Craig Ashall was given his second spell off the bench with 20 minutes remaining.

Man of the match Ashall, who returned from injury along with Phil Wood and Andy Saywell, scored the Lions’ final try and looked a real danger with some smart ideas and powerful running.

And Swinton’s lack of attacking inventiveness can be off-set by the impressive defence on show from the away side. Hunslet only scored one try – off an interception – and they rarely tested the Lions’ line.

Coach Paul Kidd said: "We had to grind this win out which, after having put ourselves under pressure in recent weeks, was always how it was going to be.

"A win was the most important thing and I thought we were a little bit smarter than we have been recently. Our pack and our bench deserve a pat on the back for the platform they provided for our half backs, who both played well."

The first half was an appalling spectacle with precious little ostentatious skill on show.

Swinton took the lead on 18 minutes when Darren Bamford slid on to a Liam McGovern grubber kick after Gary Hulse, who was switched from scrum half to full back, had forced a goalline drop out.

Richard Hawkyard failed to convert but he knocked over two penalty goals to put the Lions 8-0 ahead on 55 minutes.

But he then had a long pass intercepted by Andy Robinson, whose long range try set a cat among the pigeons.

Ashall effectively decided the game five minutes later. He collected a loose pass from Keegan Hirst and raced half the length of the pitch.

Hawkyard’s conversion gave Swinton a 14-6 advantage. And victory was secured with another Hawkyard two-pointer and a McGovern drop goal.

However, Swinton failed in their bid to deny Hunslet a losing bonus point. McGovern missed with a second drop goal attempt, Chris Frodsham somehow failed to ground Ashall’s chip to the corner, Marlon Billy came close to scoring down the wing and touching down a Hawkyard grubber kick and the Lions hit a late penalty wide after Hunslet had attempted to settle a few scores away from the rugby. The resulting mass melee was put on report.

Team: Hulse; Saywell, Bamford, Williamson, Billy; Hawkyard, McGovern; Line, Wood, Tyrer, Rigby, Johnson, Moana. Subs used: Frodsham, Ashall, Ball, Hayes. Tries: Bamford, Ashall. Goals: Hawkyard (3). Drop goal: McGovern. Attendance: 414.