York Wasps 16, Swinton Lions 15

A CONTROVERSIAL decision by the match officials cost the Lions two valuable league points in Sunday's game at the Huntington Stadium.

The Wasps took the lead in the twenty-first minute when a three man overlap saw loose forward Darren Callaghan go over for a try in the corner but Jamie Benn was unable to convert from the touchline.

The Lions hit back four minutes later when Wes Rogers, Ian Watson and Jim Evans combined for Marlon Billy to go over in the corner for his first try for the club but Gartland was unable to add the conversion.

The Lions second try came in the thirty-second minute when Marlon Billy sent Gartland in for a try by the posts to which he also added the goal points.

The third try came two minutes later when Jim Evans went over near the corner but Gartland could not convert to leave the Lions with a 14-4 lead. Both sides were reduced to twelve men just after the hour when Ian Blease and Craig Booth were sent off the field for a bout of fighting.

The Wasps claimed their second try from the resulting penalty when Benn went over in the corner but he was unable to convert his own try. Ian Watson quickly slotted over a drop goal to put Swinton 15-8 ahead.

Cliff Eccles was wide with a drop goal attempt three minutes later before the Wasps scored their third try in the seventy-third minute when prop Steve Hill went on a barnstorming run from 25 metres to crash over in the corner but again Benn could not convert.

Ian Watson and Gavin Price-Jones had drop goal attempts go wide but there were nearly eleven minutes of injury time played at the end because of injuries to Wasps players Leigh

Deakin and Chris Hopcutt who were both taken off on stretchers during the half and a few more minutes ticked by while the sending offs took place.

The controversial try which won the match for the Wasps came in the eighty-seventh minute of the match.

The home side were on the attack on the right wing and the referee awarded a penalty for pulling back the Wasps quickly tapped the ball and full-back Jamie Benn crossed for a try in the corner that wasn't converted.

There was still two minutes of injury time to play but the Lions could not get back to the Wasps line to claim any more points.

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