A controversial penalty try eight minutes from time gave Sheffield Eagles an unlikely victory and passage into the Challenge Cup fifth round on Saturday.
Swinton nearly did it as well, leading Sheffield for over 70 minutes with a magnificent performance which deserved the win.
Stuart Littler put the Lions ahead in the third minute, Swinton showing their dominance when Michael Knowles was dumped into touch on the first Eagles attack.
Hallett put the Lions further ahead on 14 minutes finishing off a good passing movement in the left corner, then just four minutes later Rhodri Lloyd sent a short kick towards the try line and Mike Morrison won the race with Anthony Nicholson to score to the right of the posts.
Atkin had his shooting boots on to convert and Swinton had a commanding lead.
Littler gets clear in the foot race – Peter Green
Eagles finished the half the stronger, getting themselves on the scoreboard twice through a close-range Duane Straughier try and again when Togagae found Menzie Yere on the left.
Hallett put the Lions further ahead two minutes after the break when he finished off another good passing movement to score in the left corner but this time Atkin could not convert against the breeze.
The Eagles came back quickly when Ben Blackmore made the most of an overlap to score on the right.
Straughier then added his second try on 55 minutes when he chased a Togagae kick to score out on the right but again Hewitt missed the conversion.
Hallett completed his hat trick in rather bizarre fashion.
Togagae had the ball centre field 10 metres from the posts, was tackled, got up to play the ball but with no acting half back the ball ran free, Hallett scooping up an racing in for the try under the posts.
Blackmore added his second try 12 minutes from time but the Lions were still playing the better rugby.
The hammer blow came when Sheffield launched a high kick towards Greg Scott who appeared to be taken out in the air.
The ball landed with Eagles’ Cory Aston who touched it down midway between the corner and the posts, and was tackled as he scored.
Hewitt then added the conversion points to put Eagles ahead for the first time and then the officials awarded another penalty in front of the posts as the player scoring the try apparently had been fouled in the act of scoring.
Hewitt made no mistake again with the kick.
Blackmore was sent to the sin bin with three minutes left for punching Atkin in the tackle.
The Lions still kept up the pressure on the Eagles line right to the end to try and pull something back.
Had there not have been a four point gap Atkin would have gone for goal but it was not to be and time ran out.
It was a fantastic effort from the team and this was echoed by John Duffy after the game who was proud of his side’s efforts.
Final score: Sheffield Eagles 32 Swinton Lions 28
Lions: 14.Kieran Hyde 2.Shaun Robinson 3.Stuart Littler 4.Macauley Hallett 5.Greg Scott 6.Ben White 1.Chris Atkin 8.Mike Morrison 9.Anthony Nicholson 10.Jordan Hand 11.Connor Dwyer 23.Rhodri Lloyd 12.Andy Thornley
Subs (all used): 13.Rob Lever 16.Ben Austin 19.Josh Barlow 17.Stephen Nash
Tries: Littler (3), Hallett (14,42,61), Morrison (18)
Attendance: 412
Main image © Peter Green/Swinton Lions
