Swinton Lions vs Halifax - match report

Halifax continue to apply the pressure on Featherstone Rovers in second spot after a try-fest against the Swinton Lions.

The visitors came out on top in a 48 – 30 victory over relegation wary Swinton Lions which extended their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Steve Tyrer had a perfect afternoon with the boot, converting all eight of Fax’s tries. In-form half-back, Ben Johnston grabbed himself a brace with tries either side of half-time.

The hosts succumbed to a 24 – 12 deficit at the break, and Fax’s three tries in the second 40 secured the three points. However, three scores from the Lions made the score line more respectable come the full-time hooter.

Fax began the game brightly, and chalked up the opening try of the afternoon within a minute of play. Fax made the most of some sloppy play from the Lions and Paul Mennell scooted over from dummy half.

Four minutes later, Swinton responded. Ed Barber stepped his way to the try-line and Mick Nanyn’s conversion made it six all.

However, the lead was restored when the visitors went back-to-back. Tommy Saxton beat Kevin Penny to the line to cross, and Gareth Potts sprinted 80 metres to make it 18 – 6.

Karl Harrison’s men may have thought they had tamed the Lions, but, they hit back. Brad Dwyer, on dual registration from Warrington, dummied and ducked under the defence to plant the ball down. Nanyn’s extra two got Swinton within six points.

Ben Johnston’s try, five minutes from the interval, gave Fax the breathing space they needed. His double was complete just 30 seconds into the second half, when he intercepted a pass to race away unopposed.

Skipper, Scott Murrell, drew some inspiration from his half-back partner to get a try for himself. Murrell bursted his way through a gaping hole in the Swinton defence to cross.

With half an hour to play and 24 points behind, the Lions narrowed the gap on their high flying visitors. Penny’s centre, Nanyn, flicked the ball out to the speedster who dived over in the corner.

Fax, who racked up their highest score of the season last week against Whitehaven, weren’t quite finished. Johnston sent Luke Adamson over, and try scoring machine back rower, Ross Divorty backed up a break from Adamson.

Swinton went back-to-back themselves inside the final 11 minutes. Luke Menzies palmed off the Fax defenders to touch down, and Menzies was on hand again. This time, putting fellow prop forward Mike Morrison over with five minutes to play.