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Broken leg spoils classy win

Claire Mooney
25/ 8/2005

SWINTON Lions bounced back from their humiliation at Gateshead with a comprehensive trouncing of struggling Keighley.

But the victory was overshadowed by the loss of scrum half Warren Ayres, who had to be stretchered off after breaking his leg in a ninth minute tackle.

There was good news in the return of first choice Ian Watson, who was on the bench for the first time since fracturing his cheekbone.

But the Lions still look short of cover in the crucial half back roles as they gear up for the play-offs.

Play was held up for nearly 10 minutes while the medics dealt with the brave Ayres.

When play finally restarted, Swinton barely gave the Cougars a look in.

They produced a sterling defensive performance to nil a side for the first time under Paul Kidd's leadership.

Phil Joseph was a mighty presence throughout at loose forward.

He scored two tries in the first half and set up another for Stuart Oldham.

Lee Marsh and Danny Heaton also bagged braces.

Marsh knocked over seven goals from nine attempts to take his points tally for the season past the 250 mark while Heaton was sent to the sin bin with Cougars prop Richard Mervill following a minor punch up.

Swinton's other try scorers were Stuart Oldham and Wayne English and the attendance was a respectable 466.