A Supposed 'Staying Up' Party..!
This was the final time I sent copy to the Sale Messenger this season, after the Featherstone game, I frankly couldn't be bothered, for many reasons. I mean I was doing it as a favour, yet they didn't even have the courtesy to e-mail back 'thanks', I had never even seen if they were using my copy, that night we were all shattered, Swinton got battered (again!), the motives for not doing so just kept on mounting.
Plus, if this is the last time I did it, nice to end on a win!
Swinton Lions edged out local rivals Rochdale Hornets 23-18 in a hot-headed affair at Heywood Road.
Under the recent proposed changes to the league structure, only the bottom placed team will go down from the Championship; this win giving Swinton a two point advantage plus a superior points difference over the Hornets, the only team below the Lions in the league standings with just four matches to play.
After an understandably tense start, the Lions rattled Rochdale with a three try burst, the first couple from winger Joe Brown, the latter a wonderful eighty metre solo effort. Brown was also involved in the build-up for the third, scored by his centre George Tyson; with all three converted by Rob Fairclough.
Morgan Smith did pull back a converted try by the posts for Rochdale who then had Luke Adamson sin binned for a high tackle.
The Lions failed to capitalise on the extra player but did boot a drop goal before the interval to keep Hornets three scores away.
Rochdale six pointers from Jack Fox and Richard Lepori made the home fans edgy but more excellent interplay from Tyson and Brown saw him complete his hat trick and secure the win.
Plus, if this is the last time I did it, nice to end on a win!
Swinton Lions edged out local rivals Rochdale Hornets 23-18 in a hot-headed affair at Heywood Road.
Under the recent proposed changes to the league structure, only the bottom placed team will go down from the Championship; this win giving Swinton a two point advantage plus a superior points difference over the Hornets, the only team below the Lions in the league standings with just four matches to play.
After an understandably tense start, the Lions rattled Rochdale with a three try burst, the first couple from winger Joe Brown, the latter a wonderful eighty metre solo effort. Brown was also involved in the build-up for the third, scored by his centre George Tyson; with all three converted by Rob Fairclough.
Morgan Smith did pull back a converted try by the posts for Rochdale who then had Luke Adamson sin binned for a high tackle.
The Lions failed to capitalise on the extra player but did boot a drop goal before the interval to keep Hornets three scores away.
Rochdale six pointers from Jack Fox and Richard Lepori made the home fans edgy but more excellent interplay from Tyson and Brown saw him complete his hat trick and secure the win.