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Swinton run the Eagles close

27/ 8/2002

SWINTON Lions almost caused an upset at the Don Valley Stadium.

Sheffield Eagles were made to work hard for their 24-21 victory though the Eagles had the visitors under pressure for much of the game and had to rely on two late tries to claim the points.

Sheffield opened up an early lead with tries from Lee Trasler and Andy Pointer with Mitch Stringer kicking the goals.

Swinton had to be content with a penalty score until two minutes from the break when second-row Dave Ellison burst through and sent in Dean for a try with Mick Nanyn adding the goal for a 12-8 score at half-time.

A break by Dean on 48 minutes set up a try for Nanyn and with the centre kicking the goal, Swinton took the lead for the first time. The Eagles levelled the score with a penalty from Richard Goddard with 20 minutes left.

A Dean drop goal briefly gave Swinton the lead again but tries from Wayne Flynn and Darren Callaghan on 69 and 73 minutes, with Goddard kicking a goal restored the home side's lead and sealed the game.

A try in the closing minutes by debutante forward Matt Mahoney was purely a consolation for Swinton.