Bonus point for South Wales Scorpions at Swinton
20-14 to Swinton
By Chris O'Brien
April 25 2010
The Scorpions slipped to defeat yet again – but claimed a valiant bonus point with a 20-14 reverse at Swinton. Despite tries from Gil Dudson, Aled James and Andrew Gay, South Wales' disappointing run of form continues.
Anthony Seibold was left seething with the referee as a disallowed try cost the Scorpions dear in the North West on Sunday.
The excellent Graham Holroyd broke the deadlock for Swinton after only seven minutes, while Dana Wilson doubled the advantage for the home side shortly before the half-hour mark.
The Scorpions, however, kept fighting and bagged two tries before the interval. Gil Dudson ran over before Aled James reduced the arrears to just two points.
Swinton bounced back after the break. Dana Wilson completed his brace twelve minutes after the re-start and Holyroyd's conversion gave the Lions an eight point lead. That lead was soon extended as the superb kicker fired over a penalty underneath the sticks.
The Lions looked on course for a vital home win - but the Scorpions got back into the game and into bonus point territory with only five minutes remaining. Gay found a gap in the Lions defence to power home and, though Jamie Murphy missed the conversion, the deficit was down to six points.
The small band of travelling fans witnessed a flurry of pressure from Seibold's Welshmen in the dying seconds - and they thought a draw was on the cards when Dudson bundled over the line - only for his effort to be ruled out for a forward pass.
It was cruel on the Scorpions, who handed debuts to Geraint Davies and dual-registered young sensation Elliot Kear, but at least Seibold and his players have a bonus point to help drown their sorrows.
Full Time - Swinton Lions 20-14 South Wales Scorpions
Attendance - 308
Next up ....
It's the home clash with Blackpool Panthers on Bank Holiday Monday. Chairman Phil Davies will undoubtedly be hoping for a bumper crowd as the Scorpions look to end a poor run of three successive defeats. The game will see former Crusader Paul Ballard return to South Wales.
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Important not to be too pessimistic, though. This was a decent bonus point and, by the sounds of it, a valiant display.
Hopefully Andy, Rob and Neil – all of whom travelled up – can give us a better indication of the game.
Swinton's crowds are very poor these days.
Roll on Bank holiday monday!
All the 50-50 decisions and a dubious scrum to the
opposition in the first half which took the STING out of some extended pressure was a sign of things to come.
Right on the final play as the klaxon went I thought Gil had gone over, from what the referee had let go all day it was a joke ,a very marginal call at that.
We started very slowly, I would like to say a good return from Geraint, though speaking to him in the club afterwards his wrist looked very swollen , don't know if he'll be good for Blackpool, think so?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:25:22:59:21 by swanseablue.
Turns out that pitch had seen three Rugby matches ,one Union and two league in the space of 24 HOURS! as Oldham are still using it for their League matches.