Doncaster strike late to deny struggling Lions

Paul Cooke’s men took a while to truly get out of the blocks, but in the final quarter of the game they stormed convincingly to a ninth victory of the season.

Craig Robinson and Tom Hodson bagged a couple of tries each at the Leigh Sports Village, while Dave Scott’s kicking was impeccable as he notched six clean conversions for the third-placed Dons.

Head coach Cooke said: “I was really pleased with the players’ work-rate, particularly in the second half. We’ve not had the best of times on our travels lately, but this win keeps us firmly in the hunt.”

A well-contested first half ended with the Lions 16-12 in front, thanks to tries from Chris Atkin, Ian Watson and Ritchie Hawkyard. Gareth O’Brien added two conversions.

Robinson and Kyle Kesik registered for the Dons, with Scott converting both.

The Lions surged further ahead thanks to Darren Hawkyard’s converted score.

However, the Dons finally got themselves into top gear, with Hodson and Steve Snitch’s converted tries edging the visitors into a lead they would not surrender.

Hodson dived over again, before Robinson also went over for his second converted try as the Dons cruised to a win that sent Swinton spiralling to the bottom of the table.

Swinton Lions: Atkin, Burke, Lewis, Peet, Hawkyard D, O’Brien, Watson, Riley, Dwyer, Morrison, Thornley, Hawkyard R, Ackers.Substitutes: Menzies, Johnson, Barber, Hulme.

Doncaster: Scott, Morrison, Leaf, Welham, Hodson, Cooke, Wilkinson, Carbutt, Kesik, Robinson, Kent, Starling, Emmett. Substitutes: Spaven, Castle, Spiers, Snitch.

Referee: Adam Gill (RFL).