SWINTON LIONS 14, BLACKPOOL PANTHERS 14: This hard hard-fought Good Friday encounter at Park Lane ended with honours even, both sides clearly having Easter Monday's opening league encounters on their minds.

For the Lions it was an ideal warm-up as their 34-18 triumph at York proved while Blackpool were humbled 26-12 at home to Keighley.

Panthers scored first in the third minute against Blackpool when Martin Gambles went in by the posts after collecting a great kick through the Lions' defence from Liam McGovern. Former Lion Jake Johnstone then slotted over the goal points.

Trialist Ben Cramont almost got the Lions on the scoreboard seven minutes later but failed to control Rob Russell's pass with the try-line beckoning.

Panthers went further ahead on 14 minutes when Gary Rourke went over for an unconverted try in the corner.

Lions hit back midway through the half when Chris Irwin scored in the corner, but Lee Marsh could not convert from the difficult angle.

But the Lions did grab a second try on the stroke of half-time, when Phil Joseph kicked through the Panthers' defence and Mick Coates re-gathered to score near the corner, but again Marsh missed the kick and the Panthers held a slender lead at the break.

The Lions had the first chance of the second half when Watson kicked a super 40-20, but they wasted the possecion from the scrum, losing the ball in the visitors' final ten.

Panthers third try came in the 49th minute when another former Lion, Jamie Stenhouse, scored in the left corner; Johnstone missed his conversion.

The Lions hit back five minutes later when Watson latched onto a wayward pass in his own 20 and moved the ball on to Chris Maye, who raced 60 metres to score; Marsh's conversion levelled the scores.

Panthers had another chance in the 58th minute when Stenhouse made a good break, but Steve Ormesher knocked on.

McGovern was well wide with a drop goal attempt with 12 minutes left, and Marlon Billy almost got Maye away for another long range try, but he was brought back for a forward pass.

There were even more chances to win the game in the final minutes when Tommy Grundy went close for Panthers and Maye for the Lions, but in the end both sides settled for a point each.

Lions: Patterson, Irwin, Cramont, Maye, Billy, Coates, Watson, Southern, Joseph, Speakman, Russell, Hodson, Marsh. Subs: Hayden, Crabtree, Gardner, Whittaker

Ian Rigg