Swinton Lions 16 Dewsbury Rams 34: Jowitt delighted with Dewsbury after Lions’ comeback is quelled

The Rams led 26-10 at half-time and did not look back as the Lions struggled to cause them any real threats despite a battling second-half showing. Five tries and seven goals saw Rams romp home.

“We set off like we did last week – like a house on fire,” beamed Jowitt.

“We racked up some good early points and I thought we should have had even more on the board at half-time.

“We’d had lots of chances with ball in hand and played some great stuff.

“In the second half I thought Swinton muscled up really well and gave our defence a tough time, but I we held up pretty well and they had some good chances.

“I thought the defence won us the game, especially in the second half when we were under the kosh a little bit.”

Steve Crossley gave the Rams a seventh-minute lead when he crossed on the left wing, before Craig Cook scored a second try three minutes later.

Adam Higson then hit back for the Lions with a well-taken try in the 19th minute and nine minutes before the break Martin Ainscough went in unopposed by the posts after the Rams had knocked on.

But the hosts’ comeback was quickly doused as Ayden Faal scored four minutes later and on the stroke of half-time substitute George Flanagan burst through some weak attempted tackles to score by the posts.

Hurst scored the Lions’ third try of the afternoon in the 67th minute, going over wide on the left.

But the Rams saw Matt Nicholson score with three minutes to go to complete a fine win.

Pat Walker finished with seven successful kicks to cap a fine individual performance.

Dewsbury Rams: Craven, Akaidere, Esders, Faal, Buchanan, Walker, Spaven, Jones, Cook, Crossley, Tonks, Barker, Blake. Substitutes (all used): Flanagan, Nicholson, Smith, Harris.

Swinton Lions: Hawkyard, Hurst, Higson, Armstrong, Mort, Ainscough, Watson, Forster, Smith, Wingfield, Hale, Hawkyard, I’Anson. Substitutes (all used): Morrison, Meekin, Ashall, Mills.

Referee: Tim Roby.