Oldham 8-16 Lions at a rainy Whitebank this aft, and a real feisty affair it was!
The ref called the captains together on four separate occasions, five yellows were shown, three were for us, and two for them, and in a another incident, one of their guys was put on report.
2-2 at the break, with ex-Oldhamer Abram putting us in front, and former Lion Ridyard, tying the scores just before the hooter.
We scored two tries to one after the re-start, with their sole touchdown coming when we were (again) a man short.
High on quality it wasn't, and we'll need to improve on today when the 'Ornits (Mazey and all) come a calling next week.
Spelly.
Just a polite reminder that it's the walk tomorrow, prior to our game with Mazey's Mob, and..............
There's still time for you to donate to help the two very worthy charities of Blood Cancer, and the MNDA, so please...............
Either follow the links at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/john-spellman or............
You can pay directly into the Nat West account from which the funds will be distributed, and the details there are - 01 02 96 30957419
Thank you in advance!
Spelly.
Lions 34-14 'Ornits this aft, and with Huns doing the biz on the Crusaders, we sit second on the ladder.
Their big names of Chase, and (on loan) Dixon rarely threatened, and we bossed it throughout.
Prob the best we've played this season, with captain Rhodri Lloyd leading by example, and we were singing "Mazey, Mazey, what's the score?" just to rub it in to our ex-chairman!
Over £1,600 was added to the walk fund, and with Pies stuffing the Pinks on Friday, I can safely say that I've had worse weekends!
Spelly
Heading darn sarf tomorrow for our clash with the Skolars, and hopefully extending our winning run.
We did the biz at home with a bit to spare, but they recently showed that they're no mugs, when they beat Littler's Lot in the London Lights fixture, so complacency is a defo no-no.
Gonna set off early, coz of the rail strike, whilst some are going today, and making a weekend of it.
I'm glad it's a Saturday match, as it means I'll be able to catch Origin II live on Sunday morning, before heading to my daughter's in the afternoon for a barbie.
Spelly.
Just back from the Smoke, where it finished Skolars 22-48 Lions, and the very old adage of "A win's a win" would sum the game up perfectly, coz perfect it wasn't!
We set off like a house on fire, and led 30-0, at almost a point a minute, but we clocked off either side of the interval, which allowed the hosts to run in three tries, and the balance of the second period was (at best) patchy.
We were never in danger of losing it, but six out of ten is all I could award 'em for today's performance.
One Swinton fan who I know well, but won't name, was severely ****** off, particularly after the sparkling opening, as (s)he put a ton on at the bookies, that we'd win by more than 26!
Donny at home a week tomorrow is our next appointment.
Spelly.
A couple of things I forgot to mention that happened yesterday, were.........
1) The day got off to the worst possible start, coz due to a misunderstanding, the team coach didn't turn up, meaning a hastily arranged fleet of (their own) cars headed south, arriving around just ninety minutes prior to kick off.
2) Following his seven out of seven with the boot against 'Ornits, Dan Abram was again faultless, converting all eight of our touchdowns, including two from the touchline.
Spelly.
Lions 12-26 Donny this aft, and beaten by a better team all round!
We were 12-0 up, but then just switched off, and never looked like scoring again.
There were some very disgruntled fans at the end of the game, me included, coz our performance was very poor, and to make matters even worse, the Pinks won at Wire!
It's our bye next weekend, so it'll be a a fortnight today before we're in action again, when we host the Hurricanes.
Congrats on your win up there at DP.
Spelly.
It's Hurricanes at home tomorrow, and as it's Mazey's Mob's bye weekend, it's a chance to get back to third on the ladder.
We won with a bit to spare down there earlier on in the campaign, so hopefully we can complete a double.
Prior to the game, Matty Ashton will be presenting the cheques from the walk, and representatives of the MNDA, and Blood Cancer will be on hand to receive 'em.
The curtain raiser to these proceedings sees the Lionesses playing host to the ladies from 'Ornits.
Spelly.
Lions 54-22 Hurricanes at a hot and sultry Heywood Road this afternoon, and we sit third on the ladder.
Whilst we were never in danger of losing, the visitors have defo improved from when we played 'em earlier in the campaign, and scored a couple of nifty tries.
We outlasted 'em in the fitness stakes, and added to the scoreline after they visibly tired around the seventy minute mark.
Keighley won again, and look to have the top sewn up, but a runners up spot is within our capabilities, which'd help when play-off football is on the menu.
Next up for us, is a trip to Cornwall, and I fly to Newquay on Friday, for the Saturday encounter with Kelly's Crew.
Spelly.
Just back from the Duchy, where it finished................
Cornwall 10-44 Lions, and a comfortable win to keep us well in the play off places.
When Dan Abram hit the post with the conversion attempt from our opening score, that was his first miss after landing twenty eight successful kicks on the spin!
George Roby, who'd been on fire for us during his loan spell, wasn't there, as he'd been recalled by Hudds, travelling to Perpignan instead, and he was missed.
I estimate there was a Swintonian following of around 200 down there in Penryn.
Two huge games now await us, as a week today, it's Mazey's Mob away, then in a fortnight, we'll be attempting to put a dent in the Cougars' hunt for the top spot.
Spelly.
Just back from the Duchy, where it finished................
Cornwall 10-44 Lions, and a comfortable win to keep us well in the play off places.
When Dan Abram hit the post with the conversion attempt from our opening score, that was his first miss after landing twenty eight successful kicks on the spin!
George Roby, who'd been on fire for us during his loan spell, wasn't there, as he'd been recalled by Hudds, travelling to Perpignan instead, and he was missed.
I estimate there was a Swintonian following of around 200 down there in Penryn.
Two huge games now await us, as a week today, it's Mazey's Mob away, then in a fortnight, we'll be attempting to put a dent in the Cougars' hunt for the top spot.
Spelly.
Nice picture on twitter of The Swinton team and fans after the game, did I read somewhere that you flew down?
Just back from the Duchy, where it finished................
Cornwall 10-44 Lions, and a comfortable win to keep us well in the play off places.
When Dan Abram hit the post with the conversion attempt from our opening score, that was his first miss after landing twenty eight successful kicks on the spin!
George Roby, who'd been on fire for us during his loan spell, wasn't there, as he'd been recalled by Hudds, travelling to Perpignan instead, and he was missed.
I estimate there was a Swintonian following of around 200 down there in Penryn.
Two huge games now await us, as a week today, it's Mazey's Mob away, then in a fortnight, we'll be attempting to put a dent in the Cougars' hunt for the top spot.
Spelly.
Nice picture on twitter of The Swinton team and fans after the game, did I read somewhere that you flew down?
Yeah mate - Flew from Manchester to / from Newquay. and was collected / dropped off by the auntie of the couple of other Lions who took me to / from Manchester Airport. So it was literally door to door service!
The guest house I stayed in was the tops, and served a superb breakfast. There was an Arsenal fan in there as well, and he said he was going to the World Cup semi at the Emirates, and looking forward to it!
Spelly.
'Ornits v Lions in the past, was one of the "ordinary" games variety, but............
The Mazey scenario has transformed it big style!
We've had chairmen come and go in the past, and I've probably crossed swords with all of 'em, but.............
Coz of his (doomed before it started) attempt to remove the Swinton name of which we're all so proud, and his subsequent move a few miles along the M62, Sunday's clash at Spotland is gonna be mega off the park, as well as on it, just as it was at Heywood Road a few weeks ago!
Our best performance this term was reserved for their visit, and we / I hope this can be replicated for the reverse fixture come Sunday!
Fingers crossed!
On another topic, our final league game of the season against the Crusaders, will not be at Colwyn Bay, as the pitch there is being dug up. The replacement venue has yet to be decided.
Spelly.
How did Holroyd play, Spelly?
I see he scored a try, and Else getting a brace.
No Hatton, injured or "rested"?
How did Holroyd play, Spelly?
I see he scored a try, and Else getting a brace.
No Hatton, injured or "rested"?
Holroyd, and Else both had solid games, and I presume Hatton had a knock, so wasn't in the seventeen.
Spelly.