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Lions maul Oldham

Claire Mooney
3/ 3/2005

SWINTON made it three wins out of three in the Northern Rail Cup with an impressive victory over first division Oldham.

The Lions made a mockery of the gap in divisions with an enthusiastic and determined performance. And the visitors' coach Gary Mercer must be regretting questioning the ambitions of ex-Oldham players Ian Watson and Paul Southern for moving to Sedgley Park.

Watson in particular was on top form and must have run hooker Phil Joseph and hat-trick hero Wayne English close for the man of the match award.

Oldham made the early running with tries from Nick Johnson and Damien Munro, but the Lions hit back through Lee Marsh. Further first-half tries came from Joseph, English and Ian Sinfield, while Dana Wilson replied for the visitors.

After 15 tense second-half minutes it was another ex-Roughyed who did it, Wes Rogers going over.

Loose-forward Marsh took his personal points tally to 18 with three more conversions as the Lions pulled away from the downbeat visitors with English completing a well-deserved hat-trick and Watson touching down, leaving the Swinton fans in high hopes for a good season.