Relegation Edges Ever Nearer..!
So, relegation is looking close to inevitable after another home win meaning that at least 12 out of the remaining 21 points need to be obtained in the final seven league games!
Having said that, Fev were second but they deservedly won this one. Here's the League Weekly copy, the first report typed in Stevo and Jim's front room (while we watched the World Cup build up.)
Swinton Lions 24 Featherstone Rovers 48 by Jeff Tyldesley
There was no repeat home upset result for Swinton versus the Rovers, as in the 2013 season, as they were well beaten in a free-scoring encounter.
A game that was hastily rearranged to Sedgley Park RUFC’s Park Lane ground and lead to several Rovers fans attending the Lions’ usual home ground of Leigh Sports Village, was similarly disjointed.
The Lions coach John Duffy remains winless in charge of the Lions and faces a tough run in, as he tries to keep the embattled Swinton side in the higher league next season.
A tight opening ten minutes meant no early points with neither team conceding anything territorially and the forwards at the forefront, Zach Johnson and Steve Crossley in particular standing out in the middle of the park.
Swinton took a surprise early advantage, a Nanyn kick ahead appeared to have been swept up by Iain Hardman but Featherstone lost the ball, with Ed Barber capitalising, racing in from thirty metres out, Mick Nanyn kicking the first on a perfect day with his trusty boot.
The Lions nearly pulled further ahead, Andy Ackers having a try ruled out following on a super Ritchie Hawkyard break; this decision resulting in brief fisticuffs over the tryline.
Fev’s first real danger featured dual registered Jason Crookes, however excellent work from Freddy Walker tackling and stealing the ball from his opposite number when he threatened.
When Featherstone clicked, the results were a torrent of tries, starting with Kyle Trout crashing over by the posts, converted by Gareth Moore. Swinton then were their own worst enemy, a penalty against Gavin Bennion lead to Iain Hardman supplying a fine inside ball which James Mendeika finished off, against his former club.
A piece of luck let Swinton back in, Mendeika standing in at full back was foxed by Martin Ainscough’s grubber and Chris Atkin pounced.
Kain was instrumental throughout but an individual run meant it was advantage firmly Featherstone when he belted through the Lions defence before skipping away from Ritchie Hawkyard at full back.
It was a twelve point lead but still a nervous one, as demonstrated when Kain nearly threw a needless interception to Ainscough of Swinton in the final tackle of the half.
Rovers shot out of the blocks in the second half, bullocking runs from Matty Dale and Chris Annakin gained big yards and then quick hands sent in Will Sharp at the corner. Kain’s goal cannoned off the post.
Stubborn defence ensued from the Lions, Ritchie Hawkyard completed a superb take from a high Kain kick with a quarter of Fev players circling and Swinton then held up Annakin over the line.
The home side pulled back into bonus point territory with Chris Atkin making a break from deep, Ritchie Hawkyard supported but Rovers covered. Swinton persisted and a lovely flicked pass from Menzies gave Ainscough a try, on his first team return for the Lions.
Featherstone however clinically finished the game off with two quick tries, Hardman joined the line to great effect, slipping the ball to Crookes at the corner and then Ellis stretched over from dummy half.
This didn’t discourage the Lions from going for a bonus point, Ackers chipping over the top, recollecting and showing great awareness to send Mike Morrison bombing over.
As ever, Featherstone seemed to have a retort, Crookes scored once again and after a controversial decision when Kyle Trout appeared to take the ball from Darren Hawkyard in a two man tackle, Rovers gained possession and the duo of Ellis and Crossley both showed great skill, both passing out of the tackle to allow Annakin a stroll in.
Swinton however showed that they will play on the death, Mick Nanyn held inches short in the dying minutes.
SWINTON LIONS
Ritchie Hawkyard 8
Freddie Walker 8
Mick Nanyn 7
Ed Barber 7
Jordan Burke 6
Chris Atkin 7
Martin Ainscough 7
Mike Morrison 7
Andy Ackers 7
Zach Johnson 8
Darren Hawkyard 6
Danny Bridge 6
Josh Barlow 6
Subs:
Lewis Hulme 6
Luke Menzies 6
James Brown 7
Gavin Bennion 6
Tries: Barber 10, Atkin 33, Ainscough 50, Morrison 68, Goals: Nanyn 10, 33, 50, 68.
FEATHERSTONE ROVERS
Iain Hardman 8
Will Sharp 8
Greg Worthington 6
James Mendeika 6
Jason Crookes 8
Andy Kain 9
Gareth Moore 7
Steve Crossley 9
Andy Ellis 7
Kyle Trout 7
Liam Kent 7
Shaun Pick 6
Jack Bussey 7
Subs:
George Flanagan 6
Matty Dale 8
Matt James 7
Chris Annakin 7
Tries: Trout 22, Dale 25, Mendeika 27, Kain 36, Sharp 42, Crookes 54, 71 Ellis 64, Annakin 76, Goals: Moore 22, 25 27, Kain 36, 64, 76.
Referee: Andy Sweet 55/100 / HT: 12-24 / Pens 10-9 / Sin Bins: Brown (42 - fighting) / Sent Off: None / MOTM: Andy Kain (Featherstone) / Weather: Cloudy and warm / Attendance: 469 / Match Rating: 4/5.
Iron Man: 3pts - Steve Crossley, 2pts - Zach Johnson, 1pt - Matty Dale.
Having said that, Fev were second but they deservedly won this one. Here's the League Weekly copy, the first report typed in Stevo and Jim's front room (while we watched the World Cup build up.)
Swinton Lions 24 Featherstone Rovers 48 by Jeff Tyldesley
There was no repeat home upset result for Swinton versus the Rovers, as in the 2013 season, as they were well beaten in a free-scoring encounter.
A game that was hastily rearranged to Sedgley Park RUFC’s Park Lane ground and lead to several Rovers fans attending the Lions’ usual home ground of Leigh Sports Village, was similarly disjointed.
The Lions coach John Duffy remains winless in charge of the Lions and faces a tough run in, as he tries to keep the embattled Swinton side in the higher league next season.
A tight opening ten minutes meant no early points with neither team conceding anything territorially and the forwards at the forefront, Zach Johnson and Steve Crossley in particular standing out in the middle of the park.
Swinton took a surprise early advantage, a Nanyn kick ahead appeared to have been swept up by Iain Hardman but Featherstone lost the ball, with Ed Barber capitalising, racing in from thirty metres out, Mick Nanyn kicking the first on a perfect day with his trusty boot.
The Lions nearly pulled further ahead, Andy Ackers having a try ruled out following on a super Ritchie Hawkyard break; this decision resulting in brief fisticuffs over the tryline.
Fev’s first real danger featured dual registered Jason Crookes, however excellent work from Freddy Walker tackling and stealing the ball from his opposite number when he threatened.
When Featherstone clicked, the results were a torrent of tries, starting with Kyle Trout crashing over by the posts, converted by Gareth Moore. Swinton then were their own worst enemy, a penalty against Gavin Bennion lead to Iain Hardman supplying a fine inside ball which James Mendeika finished off, against his former club.
A piece of luck let Swinton back in, Mendeika standing in at full back was foxed by Martin Ainscough’s grubber and Chris Atkin pounced.
Kain was instrumental throughout but an individual run meant it was advantage firmly Featherstone when he belted through the Lions defence before skipping away from Ritchie Hawkyard at full back.
It was a twelve point lead but still a nervous one, as demonstrated when Kain nearly threw a needless interception to Ainscough of Swinton in the final tackle of the half.
Rovers shot out of the blocks in the second half, bullocking runs from Matty Dale and Chris Annakin gained big yards and then quick hands sent in Will Sharp at the corner. Kain’s goal cannoned off the post.
Stubborn defence ensued from the Lions, Ritchie Hawkyard completed a superb take from a high Kain kick with a quarter of Fev players circling and Swinton then held up Annakin over the line.
The home side pulled back into bonus point territory with Chris Atkin making a break from deep, Ritchie Hawkyard supported but Rovers covered. Swinton persisted and a lovely flicked pass from Menzies gave Ainscough a try, on his first team return for the Lions.
Featherstone however clinically finished the game off with two quick tries, Hardman joined the line to great effect, slipping the ball to Crookes at the corner and then Ellis stretched over from dummy half.
This didn’t discourage the Lions from going for a bonus point, Ackers chipping over the top, recollecting and showing great awareness to send Mike Morrison bombing over.
As ever, Featherstone seemed to have a retort, Crookes scored once again and after a controversial decision when Kyle Trout appeared to take the ball from Darren Hawkyard in a two man tackle, Rovers gained possession and the duo of Ellis and Crossley both showed great skill, both passing out of the tackle to allow Annakin a stroll in.
Swinton however showed that they will play on the death, Mick Nanyn held inches short in the dying minutes.
SWINTON LIONS
Ritchie Hawkyard 8
Freddie Walker 8
Mick Nanyn 7
Ed Barber 7
Jordan Burke 6
Chris Atkin 7
Martin Ainscough 7
Mike Morrison 7
Andy Ackers 7
Zach Johnson 8
Darren Hawkyard 6
Danny Bridge 6
Josh Barlow 6
Subs:
Lewis Hulme 6
Luke Menzies 6
James Brown 7
Gavin Bennion 6
Tries: Barber 10, Atkin 33, Ainscough 50, Morrison 68, Goals: Nanyn 10, 33, 50, 68.
FEATHERSTONE ROVERS
Iain Hardman 8
Will Sharp 8
Greg Worthington 6
James Mendeika 6
Jason Crookes 8
Andy Kain 9
Gareth Moore 7
Steve Crossley 9
Andy Ellis 7
Kyle Trout 7
Liam Kent 7
Shaun Pick 6
Jack Bussey 7
Subs:
George Flanagan 6
Matty Dale 8
Matt James 7
Chris Annakin 7
Tries: Trout 22, Dale 25, Mendeika 27, Kain 36, Sharp 42, Crookes 54, 71 Ellis 64, Annakin 76, Goals: Moore 22, 25 27, Kain 36, 64, 76.
Referee: Andy Sweet 55/100 / HT: 12-24 / Pens 10-9 / Sin Bins: Brown (42 - fighting) / Sent Off: None / MOTM: Andy Kain (Featherstone) / Weather: Cloudy and warm / Attendance: 469 / Match Rating: 4/5.
Iron Man: 3pts - Steve Crossley, 2pts - Zach Johnson, 1pt - Matty Dale.