Five tries from Man of the Match Stuart Littler helped Swinton Lions to their second big victory over Oxford this season with a three-figure scoreline.
The 84-16 win keeps John Duffy’s Swinton firmly on course for a potential top three finish in the Kingstone Press Championship 1.
The Lions seemed to be able to score on nearly every attack in the first half.
Littler put the Lions ahead on three minutes when he scored in the right corner and Chris Atkin converted from the touchline.
Atkin himself added the next one seven minutes later when he went over from short range, adding his own conversion, and this was quickly followed by a Ben White try.
The visitors hit back on 18 minutes when Steve Scott went over from close range but Nathan Kitson was unable to add the conversion.
Littler than added his second when White made the break, sending out a good pass for the centre to score, with Atkin accurate with the conversion kick again.
Littler’s third and fourth came in quick succession around the 25 minute mark, with Atkin adding his second after good pressure on the line. Ian Mort added his name to the scoresheet with the final try of the half after some slick passing in the backs.
Oxford were weary coming out for the second half, and allowed Ben Austin to skip through half a dozen tackles to score by the posts
Littler added his fifth on 53 minutes and there was no way back for the southerners.
There was a second consolation for Oxford when when Kitson broke clear to send Tom Davies over by the posts, but Swinton’s Grant Beecham scored a gift from the next play when Oxford dropped the ball a metre from their own line.
Swinton’s quick hands saw Chris Rothwell race across the line, followed by Josh Barlow who pummelled his way over to score from 15 metres out.
Shaun Robinson had the best try of the afternoon when he ran a staggering 85 metres to score, and with three minutes left Beecham added his second.
In the final minutes the players were trying all they could to get Littler over for his sixth try – which would have equalled the Swinton Lions tries in a match record – but it wasn’t to be.
Oxford scored the final try of the match in the final minute when Kitson intercepted a Lions pass to score under the posts, but the demolition was complete.
Main image © Pete Green
