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More capital gains

Claire Mooney
4/ 8/2005

National League Two
Swinton Lions 44
London Skolars 12

THE Lions moved up to fourth spot with a convincing victory to complete the double over hard-working London.

Although once again Swinton conceded early points, a professional display ensured they had the points wrapped up by the interval thanks to five first-half tries.

The Skolars in fact had the worst possible start when they lost stand-off Brett Blacker at the kick-off, a clash of heads seeing him immediately dispatched to the sidelines.

That didn't stop his side making the first breakthrough though when winger Austin Aggrey followed up Kurt Pitman's kick to touch down behind the posts, Tim Gee goaling.

Man of the match Lee Marsh - a constant handful at stand-off - pulled back two points with a penalty before Chris Maye latched onto Phil Joseph's bomb to level the scores.

Marsh set up the next try, Marlon Billy going in at the corner, and converted it before three tries in the final eight minutes left the visitors out of sight.

First good interpassing between Kris Smith and Rob Whittaker created a touchdown for Wayne English before Billy powered through the defence for his second and then Danny Heaton showed a neat sidestep to go through on the hooter. Marsh's conversions made it 28-6.

London again started strongly in the second half with Rupert Jonker cutting the arrears when he dived over in the corner, Gee again adding the conversion.

That turned out to be their last real scoring chance in a scrappy half dominated by scrums and penalties, however.

Two consecutive penalties for dissent saw Rob Russell sent to the sin bin but it didn't hold back his team mates who put together a glorious team move to send Smith in for the sixth try on 52 minutes. Marsh converted.

That was the way the score stayed till the dying minutes when first sub Sarfraz Patel dummied and dived over from close range and then Heaton rounded things off with a good solo effort in the corner.

• Swinton: English, Oldham, Patterson, Maye, Billy, Marsh, Coates, Parry, Joseph, Rogers, Heaton, Russell, Smith. Subs (all used): Patel, Barton, Southern, Whittaker.

• London: Tim Gee, Aggrey, Price, Wheele, Simms, Blaker, Kurt Pitman, Nathan Gee, Castle, Smits, Jonker, Aderiye, Joyce. Subs (all used): Lane, Tozer, Coleman, Matt Pitman.