Midlands Hurricanes 6-24 Swinton Lions
Betfred Championship Round Seventeen
By Tom Kiernan-Wilson
After a disappointing 24-30 home loss to Whitehaven and an impressive albeit unsuccessful home clash with London Broncos in the 1895 Cup Semi-Final, Head Coach Mark Dunning’s men had hoped to turn their fortunes around by besting a Swinton Lions side that secured a 28-10 win over them in early May at Heywood Road.
The visitors would open their account after just their second set as some gifted possession from the hosts allowed Gavin Rodden to collect a ball before crashing over from short range (0-4). Ex-North Wales Crusaders half Jordy Gibson would add the extras from out wide (0-6).
Just three minutes later another ex-Crusaders player would contribute to doubling Swinton’s lead, again off the back of the Canes coughing up the ball in their own half. From 10 metres out the hooker would scoot from dummy half and take two Canes defenders with him before crashing over the try-line (0-10). Gibson would again convert (0-12).
Swinton would continue their momentum by forcing the home side to concede two goal-line drop-outs, and eventually a series of passes from right to left saw Gavin Rodden in space to scoot from dummy half and force his way over just in front of the line (0-16). Gibson would convert for a third time (0-18).
The remaining 20 minutes would be largely uneventful until the final five minutes, when the Canes would arguably have their first real opportunity in attack when Brandon Moore scooted over but was deemed held up once the referee finally got himself in position.
The Canes initially started the second half strongly, forcing the Lions to concede a goal-line drop out early on. However, just five minutes into the second half Swinton would shift the momentum and Ellis Anderson would find himself with an opportunity to score down the left edge (0-22). Gibson would extend the visitors lead with a nice conversion from out wide (0-24).
Ten minutes later the Canes would eventually open their account as winger Aidan McGowan crashed over from short range despite the best efforts of the Swinton defence (4-24). Sully Medforth would add the extras (6-24).
The remaining 25 minutes would see the Canes desperately try to add more points but be thwarted at every turn by a stubborn Swinton defence that knew they didn’t need to score any more points as long as they didn’t concede.
A few minutes after his try, McGowan would almost replicate his efforts out wide but would be bundled into touch. McGowan would also contest a high ball from Sully Medforth but would be deemed to have knocked the ball on in the contest.
In the final ten minutes Matty Chrimes would have two opportunities to add a second, with the first being chalked off as he was deemed to be in touch before getting the ball down and the second falling short as he was bundled into touch just before the full-time hooter.
A disappointing performance at home for the Canes, but results elsewhere would ensure Midlands remain ninth in the table ahead of welcoming Goole Vikings to Avery Fields for a rare Tuesday evening fixture (with neither side sharing a free bye weekend).
Man of the Match:
Isaac Shaw
Tries:
McGowan
Cons:
Medforth
