Swinton Lions 48, Doncaster 2

ANY hopes Doncaster may have had of completing a league double over the Lions were quickly extinguished by the home side's first half display.

Sunday's Gigg Lane victory signalled a return to form and an excellent defensive showing prevented the Dragons from scoring any tries.

Billy Conway kicked a second minute penalty for the visitors when Ian Blease was pulled up for a high tackle.

The Lions were soon on the attack. A nice interpassing move up the right wing between Simon Ashcroft and Matt Bateman created the position for the Lions first try.

The ball was then swung across field for Jason Hunter to power over to the left of the posts. The first of Steve Gartland's six goals gave the Lions a 6-2 lead.

Colin Carter was pulled up for offside at a play-the-ball in front of his own posts leaving Gartland with another easy goal kick.

The Doncaster effort then fell completely apart following an eleventh minute sending off of loose forward Tony Miller for a high tackle on Paul Gartland.

A great midfield break by Howard Hill saw Mark Welsby in support for an excellent touchdown which Steve Gartland again converted.

Welsby then ghosted through some non-existent Doncaster defence for his second try, again converted by Gartland.

Just after the half hour Doncaster full back James Walker made a total hash of taking Ian Watson's high kick when there was no pressure on him whatsoever.

It presented Marlon Billy with a gift try to take the score on to 24-2. Three minutes from the break Richie Eyres crossed in the right hand corner despite what appeared to be a double movement.

Then right on the half-time hooter several players were involved in an attack which resulted in Welsby completing his hat-trick.

Amazingly, this is only the second try hat-trick scored by a Swinton full back.

Steve Gartland's simple conversion goal brought the curtain down on a satisfying first half performance.

Four minutes into the second period Bateman scooped up a loose ball and raced 70 metres for a try between the posts. Steve Gartland again added the goal points but shortly afterwards had to leave the field after falling awkwardly in a tackle.

Doncaster then enjoyed their best spell of the afternoon. Both Gavin Morgan and Carter were held on their backs over the Swinton line.

It took the Lions until the 70th minute for them to extend their advantage, Watson was heavily involved in the lead up to a try scored by Ashcroft, who was celebrating his 29th birthday and his 200th appearance for the club!

Jim Evans scored the final touchdown of the afternoon after Phil Cushion and Wes Rogers had made inroads into the Dragons defence.

To rub salt into their wounds Paul Lister lost the ball over the Swinton line to complete the Dragons' miserable afternoon.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.