Rugby League: Rams routed as Lions pile on the pressure

THE Lions maintained pressure on the First Division's top three with a comprehensive Gigg Lane victory against the third-placed Rams.

The first half saw the game see-saw from end to end but after the break the Lions prevented Dewsbury from scoring any points.

The visitors opened with a good break by Brendan Williams down the right which was ended when Mark Welsby made a superb tackle to put Williams over the touchline.

The Rams continued to press and Williams made amends when Damian Ball and Matthew Bramald created an opening for him to score the game's first try. Richard Agar converted.

Swinton hit back immediately. Shaun Casey sent a long pass out for Andy Coley to score his fourth try in four games. Steve Gartland kicked the goal to level things at 6-6.

It was the Lions turn to turn on the pressure and a good run by Gavin Price-Jones was spoiled by a silly pass at the end.

However, they continued to keep the ball alive well and on the sixth tackle Watson scored from a play-the-ball close to the Dewsbury line with Gartland again kicking the goal.

Matthew Long had a try disallowed for the visitors, for a double movement.

Simon Ashcroft, who was doubtful right up to the kick-off, was spoken to for a high tackle and the Lions were penalised again just afterwards, for offside.

This allowed Agar and Adrian Flynn to work a move which got Richard Arrowsmith in for the Rams' second try near the cornerflag.

Agar couldn't convert and from the restart a good run by Paul Hulme set the Lions up for another attack.

Casey's kick on the last tackle proved just too strong. The try of the match arrived after 28 minutes. Ashcroft took a Dewsbury kick deep inside his own quarter and raced up the middle of the field before handing on to Gartland who completed a sparkling move with a try which he then converted.

As the half came to a close the Lions chose to kick at goal after receiving a penalty for a late tackle on Ian Watson.

Gartland missed his only attempt of the afternoon when a kick to touch might have been more advisable.

The Rams worked the ball quickly to the other end of the field and the league's leading try-scorer Bramald crossed for a try which Agar converted.

The second half began with a ridiculous penalty against Swinton when Dennis Bailey threw the ball away on the last tackle and earned a penalty ten metres out.

The Lions kept their line intact with some good defence and eventually forced Dewsbury to knock-on.

Watson, who was being watched by Welsh coach Clive Griffiths, made a great break and dummy to send Welsby in for his first try since returning from a broken jaw. Gartland's touchline conversion gave the Lions a 24-16 lead.

Swinton continued to pile on the pressure and just after Gareth Adams was held on his back over the Dewsbury line, Price-Jones landed his customary drop goal to extend their lead by another point.

Adams was again unlucky as Jimmy Veikoso brought him onto the ball with a neat inside pass.

A good run by George Mann eventually saw substitute Ian Blease get Casey in for a try ten minutes from time which all the Swinton pressure deserved.

Gartland completed the scoring with a conversion from way out on the left side of the pitch. The stand-off was then named man of the match as the frustrated Rams tried to exact revenge on super Swinton.

Gary Rose was penalised for leading with the elbow while just seconds later things threatened to boil over as the visitors were again penalised for a high tackle.

Coley was again held on his back over the Dewsbury line and the game ended with Coley again putting pressure on the Rams with a high kick which Lee Milner did well to scramble away.

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