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Lions qualify

Jeff Tyldesley
22/ 3/2007

Rochdale Hornets 42
Swinton Lions 10

SWINTON Lions were once again comfortably defeated by National League One opponents Rochdale Hornets in the Northern Rail Cup.

The Lions were as undisciplined as ever against a Rochdale side who look in fine fettle as the league season draws near but the damage done was minimal. Swinton still progressed to the last 16 as groupmates Oldham have not defeated a professional side in over a year.

Lions coach Paul Kidd said: "It has always been our goal to qualify and if you take away the scoreline on Sunday I think the effort and commitment was clearly there."

Sunday's cup game was played amidst a freezing wind and a flurry of hail - weather which would have been more appropriate for the Lokomotiv Moscow win last week.

It was a credit to the players that any rugby of a decent standard was played at all.

When it was, Rochdale were more often than not responsible for it. They dominated the game, scoring seven tries to two, with scrum half Phil Hasty running the show.

Rochdale stormed into a 10-0 lead before Swinton threw on inspirational loose forward Lee Marsh, who was making his first appearance of the season for the Lions having recovered from a back injury.

Together with Danny Aboushakra and Craig Farrimond, Marsh made a real difference. He was tough in defence and menacing coming forward as the Lions fought back.

Phil Wood touched down on 27 minutes when a Liam McGovern chip took a deflection and fell kindly into his path.

McGovern added the extras but Swinton had to wait nearly 40 minutes for their next try, which saw Dave Ashton wriggle out of a tackle to touch down following good build up play by Martin Moana and Paul Alcock.

Team: English; Saywell, Woods, Ashton, Billy; Moana, McGovern; Hayes, Wood, Newton, Alcock, Smith, Ashall. Subs used: Marsh, Farrimond, Aboushakra, Morley. Tries: Wood, Ashton. Goal: McGovern.

Attendance: 556.