Swinton Lions 22, Featherstone Rovers 24

SWINTON went down in a titanic struggle as former Lions coach Peter Roe retured to Gigg Lane in triumph on Sunday.

Roe's Featherstone Rovers side are chasing a top five spot in the Northern Ford Premiership, but they couldn't breathe easily until the last few minutes against Swinton.

An early Ian Watson penalty goal gave the Lions a 2-0 lead after Cliff Eccles caught Richard Slater offside at a penalty. Slater was sin-binned for his troubles.

It wasn't until the 20th minute that Rovers hit back. Neil Lowe went close after a strong run before the ball was swung right and Jimmy Rooney went through a gap to score a try which he converted himself.

Hitro Okesene became the second Rovers player to have ten minutes in the sin bin when he spoke out of turn to the referee. From the penalty the Lions ran the ball and their pressure paid off when Matt Bateman crashed through for a try. Watson's conversion gave the Lions an 8-6 lead.

Two minutes later a great break by Mark Welsby set up Howard Hall, who ghosted past the defnec, selling a wonderful dummy on his way to notching the Lions second try. Watson added the goal.

Rovers' half back Paddy Handley was then put on report for using the elbow on tackler Jim Evans. Watson kicked the resulting penalty to give the Lions a 16-6 lead.

Shortly before half-time Wayne Simonds' try brought Rovers back into the game, but they were fortunate not to be pulled up for a knock-on in the build up. Rooney's goal made the half-time score 16-12.

The Lions opened brightly after the break. A 40-20 kick by Watson set the Lions up in the Rovers' quarter but, on the last tackle, Evans just failed to collect Watson's high cross kick. Inspirational skipper Sean Casey limped off injured after 47 minutes - a factor that was eventually to prove crucial.

Watson and Evans repeated their earlier party piece and after consulting the touch judge, referee Dave Ansell awarded the try to Evans. Watson's goal made the score 20-12 in the Lions' favour.

Rovers substitute Richard Chapman had a try disallowed for stepping into touch before Watson gave the Lions a 10-point lead after Handley was penalised for talking out of turn.

Around the hour mark Featherstone started to get on a roll. The Lions were penalised for holding down and Rovers came charging up field. Chapman again went close before Simonds broke through for his second try. Winger Matt Brumald was then held over the Swinton line before the Lions got some respite.

Watson had a penalty attempt from 30 metres out after Rovers were caught offside. His miss in the end was to prove vital.

With ten minutes remaining Jamie Stokes broke from just inside the Lions' half for a try despite Welsby's despairing tackle. Rooney missed the kick to leave Rovers trailing by two points.

A brilliant pass by Steve Dooler saw Stokes go in for another try to put Rovers in front. Rooney's kick hit the post and bounced clear.

Damian Cleary made a superb long break to set up Marlon Billy for an attack on the Featherstone line, but Rovers defence recovered just in time to deny the plucky Lions.

The match ended with a free-for-all as Brendan Tuuta took exception to Watson's tackle.

The pair of them were sin-binned as Featherstone held on for an unlikely victory.

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