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Gateshead 28 - 12 Swinton Lions

by Jeff Tyldesley
25/ 6/2008

SWINTON Lions were no match for table-topping Gateshead as they slipped to their second successive defeat on Sunday.

The eighth-placed Lions were guilty of giving away a whopping 20 penalties and losing concentration – a habit which cost them a bonus point with a try being conceded in the final play of both halves.

The Lions’ main problem, however, was their inability to carve open chinks in the opposition’s defence. Swinton had plenty of field position but they struggled to put points on the board on what was a terribly windy day.

And the Lions’ misery was complete when they played the closing stages with only 11 players due to Ben Williamson and Craig Ashall being sin-binned.

Gateshead had few problems in extending their winning streak to a club record nine matches and they denied Swinton a bonus point when Robin Peers touched down in the dying seconds. But Lions coach Paul Kidd was pleased with the endeavour of his players.

He said: "To come to Gateshead and put in such a big effort was pleasing and it’s an experience we’ll learn from."

The Lions, who trailed 18-0 at one stage, welcomed back key players in Andy Saywell, Gareth Hayes and man of the match Ashall.

Saywell and Hayes scored Swinton’s tries in the League Two clash on 57 and 76 minutes. Saywell finished off good work from impressive substitute Paul Crook and Williamson while Hayes benefited from a brilliant flat pass from Phil Wood.

Saywell, Ashall, ex-Gateshead player Rob Line and Marlon Billy, who was placed on report for what looked to be a bad swinging arm offence, all came agonisingly close to adding other Swinton scores.

And Saywell was the victim of an unsavoury incident which resulted in Gateshead coach Dave Woods being reported to the match commissioner for alleged verbal abuse.

Team: Hulse; Saywell, Williamson, Gorton, Billy; Hawkyard, McGovern; Line, Wood, Raftery, Gibson, Rigby, Ashall. Subs used: Crook, Moana, Johnson, Hayes. Tries: Saywell, Hayes. Goals: Hawkyard (2). Attendance: 331.