'Ornits 22-53 Lions at Spotland this aft, and the (200 ish) fans who'd made the short journey along the motorway came home very happy!
We've reserved our two best performances this term for 'Ornits, and long before the end, we were taunting our ex-chairman with "Mazey, Mazey, what's the score?" Mazey, Mazey, give us wave!" and "You can stick your Manchester up your arse!"
We expected them to be fired up coz of the Mazey scenario, but they overdid it more than once, as their three yellows and a red, would seem to prove!
I spoke to my mate Jim, after the hooter, said he said "Our discipline has been crunchie all season!"
Near the end, one of their guys who'd gone down very easily, resulting is us giving him grief, and pointing to the scoreboard, appeared to kick the penalty directly at the fans, missing me by not very much! I don't think it could ever be proved, as he could argue that "It slipped off my foot!" but it appeared to be a very naughty, and childish action!
The Cougars come a-calling next week, and they'll be fresh after their bye this weekend, so we'll have to be at our very best, if we're to spoil their 100% record.
Spelly.
Matt Calland now the ex coach at 'Ornits.
He departed today by "mutual consent" according to the report, but is that just a polite way of saying he was sacked?
I'll leave that up to you!
Spelly.
It looks like the old adage of "Don't get there too early, coz you might get a game!" will apply at Heywood Road tomorrow!
Our declared squad of (the usual) 21, totals a mere 18, due to the injuries we have!
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!
Spelly.
Lions 22-26 Cougars this aft, and we came up just short of spoiling their 100% record.
We were leading 20-2 as the half-time hooter approached, but they scored just before, and just after the interval, converting 'em both, and that was the game-breaker.
Down to the bare bones selection wise coz of injuries, every Lion gave his all, but we couldn't quite come up with the killer blow, the visitors went home with their record still intact, but knowing they'd been pushed big style.
To ease the pain slightly, the Pinks came home from Headingley on the wrong end of a stuffing.
Next up for us, is the long trip to Llanelli, and it's a Saturday game against the Raiders.
Spelly.
Raiders 6-94 Lions at a roasting Stebonheath Park this aft, with the result never in question.
The hosts were poor, very poor, but we were professional, and as points diff could well come into play for play off positions, we needed to be.
Dan Abram added the extras to all but one of our sixteen touchdowns, ironically the only one he missed for his own try!
Despite all the hot weather we've had, the pitch was very green, and in pristine condition.
Hunslet at home tomorrow week, is our next outing.
Spelly.
Raiders 6-94 Lions at a roasting Stebonheath Park this aft, with the result never in question.
The hosts were poor, very poor, but we were professional, and as points diff could well come into play for play off positions, we needed to be.
Dan Abram added the extras to all but one of our sixteen touchdowns, ironically the only one he missed for his own try!
Despite all the hot weather we've had, the pitch was very green, and in pristine condition.
Hunslet at home tomorrow week, is our next outing.
Spelly.
Just been checking the ladder, and if (when?) Keighley beat Hunslet tomorrow, they're guaranteed top spot (and automatic promotion) short of a mathematical miracle.
North Wales are second, but they don't play again till next week, then......
We're third, two points behind, but with a far superior points diff, and we play 'em in the last round of the "normal" season, in a game that's been switched to Victoria Park, Warrington, coz the Colwyn Bay pitch is being dug up, so..............
Achieving the runners up spot is more than a possibility, which'd mean we'd have a week off on the first round of play offs, but.....
We can't afford a single slip up in our three remaining fixtures.
Spelly.
Raiders 6-94 Lions at a roasting Stebonheath Park this aft, with the result never in question.
The hosts were poor, very poor, but we were professional, and as points diff could well come into play for play off positions, we needed to be.
Dan Abram added the extras to all but one of our sixteen touchdowns, ironically the only one he missed for his own try!
Despite all the hot weather we've had, the pitch was very green, and in pristine condition.
Hunslet at home tomorrow week, is our next outing.
Spelly.
Just been checking the ladder, and if (when?) Keighley beat Hunslet tomorrow, they're guaranteed top spot (and automatic promotion) short of a mathematical miracle.
North Wales are second, but they don't play again till next week, then......
We're third, two points behind, but with a far superior points diff, and we play 'em in the last round of the "normal" season, in a game that's been switched to Victoria Park, Warrington, coz the Colwyn Bay pitch is being dug up, so..............
Achieving the runners up spot is more than a possibility, which'd mean we'd have a week off on the first round of play offs, but.....
We can't afford a single slip up in our three remaining fixtures.
Spelly.
What is your playoff format Spelly?
Mr H - Complicated, but it we finish second, we can reach the final with just one win.
Google "Rugby League play-off formula" and all will be explained.
Spelly.
The simple (wrong word) equation is, that if we win our three remaining games of Hunslet at home tomorrow, hosting the 'Yeds next week, and then away to North Wales (in Warrington) a fortnight today, the runners-up spot will be ours, thus ensuring a (theoretically) more direct route to the final. So it's in our own hands.
Should that transpire, the hard work will then start, to see if we're to have the likes of the 'Dogs / Fev or Leythers / Toulouse / you mob, on our fixture list next term, rather than trips to the Duchy, and the Principality.
Time will tell, but meantime..............
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!
Spelly.
Lions 38-12 Hunslet this aft, and the first of the "must win all three remaining matches to finish second" safely negotiated.
They scored first, but we soon recovered, and at 26-6 at the break, it was pretty much game over.
Former Chemic Lewis Else, had his best game in a Swinton shirt, and Widnes loanee Brad Holroyd, was part of an almost length of the park move, by collecting one of their last tackle kicks, scorching summat like 40 metres up the wing, before drawing their full back, and passing inside to Richard Lepori, who then raced under the black dot to touch down.
Dan Abram was again faultless with the boot, banging over seven from seven.
So it's the 'Yeds next week, as we push for that slot on the ladder, just below Keighley.
Spelly.
One thing I forgot to mention yesterday was that Hunslet went the scenic route to Heywood Road, coz.................
They turned up at Sedgley Park first, only to be informed that we jumped ship from there a while ago!
It was their first trip to our (not so) new gaff, and didn't know we'd flitted!
They were still in situ at the correct venue by 1.45, so no great dramas!
Spelly.
Lions 35-6 Oldham this aft, and stage two of the "three must win games" safely negotiated.
They opened the scoring, but never really looked like doing so again, and with the Crusaders losing at Keighley, we're now second on points diff.
Huge match next week, with the runners-up spot up for grabs, when Murray's Mob host us at Victoria Park in Warrington.
A draw would suffice, but obviously we'd love to go into the play-offs on the back of a nice win, and if that comes to pass, we'd then have the luxury of a week off, and the (theoretical) easier route back to the middle tier, but...................
I'm taking nowt for granted, and just hope we can be professional until the end of the campaign, and next term, return to where we belong.
Spelly.
Biggest game of the season so far for us tomorrow, with the away-ish clash against the Crusaders, and that all-important second place on the ladder as the prize.
They did a job on us twice (league and cup) at Heywood Road, earlier in campaign, so an easy two points, it won't be, but I think our fans' expectation, has the "cautious optimism" ring to it.
If we can pull it off, the route to the final could then be one of just eighty minutes, as we strive to return from whence we came, in the middle tier.
It's a shorter journey for us than what it will be for the majority of the Welsh fans, so hopefully, we can turn that to our advantage, and come away from Victoria Park, with a precious win!
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spelly.
I hope all goes well for you later today, Spelly. 👍
I hope all goes well for you later today, Spelly. 👍
Thanks mate!