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Swinton Lions 6 Keighley Cougars 40

Jeff Tyldesley
24/ 7/2008

SWINTON were completely outplayed by high-flying Keighley Cougars as they slumped to their sixth League Two defeat on the bounce.

Precisely what has happened to the Lions’ season might be a case for Mulder and Scully to investigate in the new X-Files film.

Swinton have gone from promotion challengers to fourth from bottom in the table and head coach Paul Kidd admitted to being ‘very disappointed’ with the way his players performed on home turf on Sunday.

He said: "Keighley played really well but we just didn’t perform and we capitulated badly in the second half.

"I left some players out but they could well be back at the weekend as I am not happy with some of the performances."

The Lions suffered a major blow in the lead up to the game with hooker Phil Wood being ruled out for the rest of the season with a dislocated collarbone.

They tried out Richie Hawkyard at hooker with relative success on Sunday while ex-Super League second rower Mike Wainwright made an encouraging debut having signed on a month-long loan from Leigh.

Wainwright set up Swinton’s only try of the game. His off-load was collected by the Lions’ best performer Wayne English, who slipped a pass for Gary Sykes to beat Keighley’s full back near to the try line.

English returned to his preferred position of full back. But Keighley’s pack stamped their authority on the game right from the off.

The Cougars also displayed plenty of flair when the Lions tired in the second half with substitute Jamaine Wray reaping particular havoc.

Keighley led 18-0 at half-time thanks to tries by Ryan Smith, Brendon Rawlins and Wray. And all hopes of a Swinton comeback were effectively ended with Andy Saywell being sent to the sin-bin for alleged use of the forearm.

Sykes scored his try straight after English had returned to the fray on 50 minutes.

But second half tries by Chris Redfearn, Jon Presley (2) and Rawlins ensured that Swinton’s fans went home far from happy once again.

Team: English; Saywell, Bowman, Gorton, Billy; Hulse, McGovern; Line, Hawkyard, Johnson, Rigby, Wainwright, Ashall. Subs used: Sykes, York, Moana, Bates. Try: Sykes. Goal: McGovern. Attendance: 421.