Swinton Lions pulled off their fourth win of the season against Keighley Cougars to keep them in touch with the play-off contenders in the Kingstone Press Championship 1.
The Lions have now done the league double over the Yorkshire side as well as beating them in the iPro cup and in a pre-season friendly.
Lions took the lead at Lawkholme Lane on 15 minutes when Andy Ackers forced over the line from a penalty in a good position. Chris Atkin added the simple conversion.
Cougars hit back four minutes later when Adam Brook sent a bullet kick downfield, but Mike Butt couldn’t control it and knocked on.
From the scrum the March brothers combined to send Scott Lee over for a debut try with Brook adding the conversion.
Seconds before the half-time hooter sounded Brook tried a drop goal for Cougars but it sailed wide.
Swinton won a penalty just after the restart when ex-Lion Samir Tahraoui threw a tantrum after being tackled around the legs, but the final pass ended up on Stuart Littler’s boot and the ball ran dead.
Cougars took the lead seven minutes into the half when some good passing saw David March score in the left corner on the last tackle.
Atkin put in an excellent restart kick after the try, and with the pressure building Swinton were awarded two penalties for offside. John Duffy’s side kept the heat on and Ben White broke through to put Littler over on the right and Atkin converted from the touchline.
The home side went back into the lead on 59 minutes when Paul White scored in the left corner despite protests from the Lions defenders.
Shaun Robinson put the Lions back ahead with 13 minutes left when good work by Grant Beecham and Littler put him over on the right.
Again Atkin was faultless with the boot as the loud Lions fans got behind their side.
Swinton put an end to Cougar hope of a turnaround with seven minutes to go, when a great pass by Dwyer on the left got Butt in for the try at the corner. Atkin could not convert this time but the Lions held out for the win.
Final score: 22-14
Referee: Jon Roberts
Attendance: 831
