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Lions shine against mighty Widnes

Jeff Tyldesley
16/ 2/2006

Rugby League
Widnes Vikings 18
Swinton Lions 10

SWINTON Lions gave mighty Widnes a major scare in their first competitive outing of 2006.

They pushed the relegated Super League side to the wire in the first divisional match of the Northern Rail Cup.

The game ended in defeat for Swinton but Paul Kidd will be the happier of the two coaches.

Swinton's defence seems to have improved since last year while Liam McGovern, Andy Saywell and Ian Watson were impressive going forward.

Widnes fielded two players who left Swinton in the close season - Lee Marsh and Danny Heaton.

Both sides had to cope with slippery handling conditions.

Ex-Swinton centre Mick Nanyn spilled the ball over the try line early on.

And Swinton had another let off when Wayne English reacted quickly to a suicidal pass from Watson.

Mark Smith kicked on and English did exceptionally well to win the race to the loose ball.

Kris Smith sliced a penalty wide for Swinton and the game was scoreless at the half-time break.

Former Wigan Warriors ace Mick Cassidy broke the deadlock at the start of the second half and Nanyn added the extras.

Marlon Billy hit back for Swinton, fending off two tacklers and squeezing in at the corner.

However, the Vikings opened up a 12-4 lead when Mark Smith benefited from a poor pass from English and Nanyn added the conversion.

Kris Smith missed his third attempt at goal, hitting the post.

But Swinton kept their heads up and were rewarded when Ian Parry dived on Watson's astute kick.

Liam McGovern tagged on the extra two points but Swinton's victory hopes were ended when Smith bagged his second try of the game late on.

WIDNES: Peachey; P O'Connor, Woods, Nanyn, Dodd; Beswick, Coyle; T O'Connor, Smith, Summers, Cassidy, Allen, Marsh. Subs used: Onyango, Heaton, Crook, Donoghue. Tries: Cassidy, Smith (2). Goals: Nanyn (3).

SWINTON: English; Saywell, Alstead, Llewellyn, Billy; Coates, Watson; Marshall, McGovern, Rogers, James, Smith, Moana. Subs used: Farrimond, Stout, Newton, Parry. Tries: Billy, Parry. Goal: McGovern. Star man: Andy Saywell.

Ref: Robert Hicks.

Att: 3,887.