Harvey hits Hunslet’s hopes of ending slide

Harvey scored two tries, created another and kicked six goals from six attempts.

The Hawks, without Luke Helliwell, Danny Grimshaw and Dave Clayton, also lacked their dual-registered players. They had ample possession but made too many unforced errors near their opponents’ line.

Swinton, who saw less of the ball in the first half, took their chances, winger Kevin Penny and Harvey scoring tries in the opening 22 minutes and Harvey improving both for a 12-0 lead. Hunslet suffered a further blow when captain David March tore a calf muscle six minutes before the interval, to be replaced by Scott Watson.

The Lions grew in confidence to score three converted tries in the opening 10 minutes of the second half. Harvey sent substitute Martin Ainscow in for the opening try of the half, Harvey collected his second converted try and then maintained his 100 per cent kicking record by improving David Mills’s touchdown.

Full-back Jimmy Watson, making his first appearance for Hunslet since completing a permanent move from Leeds Rhinos, had a 66th minute ‘try’ disallowed for a forward pass in the build-up, but two minutes later prop Michael Haley found a way through and Liam Welham tagged on the goal.

However, a kick by the Hawks’ Callum Windley was gathered by Lions loose forward Darren Hawkyard who sent Ryan Shaw sprinting in from his own half for Swinton’s sixth try, again converted by Harvey.

Hunslet Hawks: J Watson; Pryce, Oakes, Welham, Kain; Ansell, J Coyle; Yates, Haigh, Haley, Houston, Haughey, March. Substitutes: Windley, Menzies, S Watson, Brickwood.

Swinton Lions: Burke; Williams, Shaw, Mendeika, Penny; Harvey, I Watson; Riley, Smith, McCarthy, Laithwaite, Sarsfield, Hawkyard. Substitutes: Ainscough, Mills, Brown, Touhrai.

Referee: J Cobb (Leigh).