Featherstone Rovers 38 Swinton Lions 18: Nervous Featherstone back to winning ways

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS halted their recent slide by running in seven tries against lowly Swinton Lions.

Centre Lamont Bryan bagged two tries – his first for the club –and substitute prop Matt James also crossed twice as Rovers bounced back from successive defeats at York and Sheffield.

They looked set to run away with the game when they led 38-6, but they eased off in the last quarter.

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Bryan put them ahead after nine minutes with his first score after Ben Kaye, Liam Finn and Andy Kain created the opening.

Swinton levelled with James Mendieka’s try, but Rovers regained control when Finn sent half-back partner Kain darting over.

Swinton had a let-off when James Lockwood knocked on when he looked a certain scorer, but they soon fell further behind when Bryan forced his way over from acting half.

Featherstone struck again three minutes before half-time when Kain, Hardman and Ben Hellewell paved the way for Tim Spears to score.

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Their domination continued early in the second half when James grabbed two tries in 10 minutes.

Matty Dale also scored and Finn kicked his fifth goal to put Rovers further ahead.

But Swinton battled back to complete the scoring with late tries from Brad Dwyer and Richie Hawkyard and Ryan Shaw’s third goal.

Rovers coach Daryl Powell said: “We played pretty well for periods of the game, but we looked nervous.

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“There is an edgy feel around the place at the moment after two losses and the boys need to get back to enjoying themselves.”

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Hellewell, Bryan, Worthington, Saxton; Kain, Finn; England, Kaye, Crossley, Lockwood, Spears, Hepworth. Substitutes: Bostock, James, Dale, Ellis.

Swinton Lions: R Hawkyard; Ormsby, Ainscough, Shaw, Penny; I’Anson, Watson; Riley, Smith, McCarthy, D Bridge, Laithwaite, Mendieka. Substitutes: Holland, Clarke, Dwyer, Barlow.

Referee: D Merrick (Pontefract).

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