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Home & dry

Jeff Tyldesley
8/ 9/2005

Rugby League
Sheffield Eagles 14
Swinton Lions 38

SWINTON Lions recovered from an atrocious start to cruise past Sheffield at the Don Valley Stadium.

The win all but secures fourth place in National League Two and a home berth in the play offs.

The home side went 10-0 up with tries from winger Carl de Chenu and Jon Presley.

This prompted the Sheffield Eagle mascot to indulge in a spot of air guitar with a comedy inflatable before Swinton finally got their act together.

They were inspired by Marlon Billy, who met Lee Marsh's excellent pass and held off three tacklers to scrape in at the corner.

Marsh booted a difficult conversion but he had no such problems when Phil Joseph stormed through a flock of Eagles to score by the posts.

Dave Llewellyn returned from a long-term shoulder injury and he finished Marsh's powerful run like he had never been away.

It was Marsh again who forged an opening for the first try after half-time.

His fine pass out wide gave Billy his second try of the day.

Prop Ian Parry then dummied his way over despite losing his feet.

De Chenu claimed his second score to give Sheffield a glimmer of hope.

But Swinton sealed an impressive win with tries by the inspirational Marsh and Lee Patterson, who finished off fine play by Craig Farrimond.

Team: English; Oldham, Patterson, Llewellyn, Billy; Marsh, Coates; Whittaker, Crabtree, Heaton, Farrimond, Russell, Joseph. Subs used: Watson, Smith, Muff, Parry.