Swinton Lionesses chances of promotion took a major hit at the weekend as they suffered a defeat to third place Featherstone Rovers.
And despite the 30-0 defeat, the Lionesses started the game on the front foot, going on the attack knocked on at the kick off.
However, Swinton were unable to capitalise on the home sides error, failing to break through which seemed to be the story for both teams in the opening 10 minutes.
Swinton’s best attack came in the 11th minute when Ellie Thirkell broke through the Featherstone line and went on a 30-metre run.
Eve Ashcroft then weaved her way towards the line, but Grace Arrowsmith was tackled short of the line.
The Lionesses were penalised for obstruction in the 14th minute which sent Featherstone on the attack, a kick out to the corner by Olivia Grace was caught by Shavon Craven to score in the corner. Danielle Waters added a dubious conversion.
The Lionesses then lost possession of the ball on their own 10 metre line, with good defence keeping Featherstone at bay for the time being,
However, the ball was eventually passed out to Ellie Lamb who dropped it with a clear run to the line, although the Lionesses were tackled into touch near the halfway line.
Winning the ball back Featherstone started another attack, Katie Evans barged her way over to score. Danielle Waters added the conversion once again.
And once again Featherstone went back on the attack straight from the restart and were finally tackled short of the line.
In the 27th minute, Alyssa Courtney dived over from dummy half to score, with Olivia Grace missing the conversion attempt – to send the home side into the second half 16-0 up.
Swinton Lionesses got the ball back from the restart, but their attack ended in a knock on.
Despite the early error, Swinton were able to attack the Featherstone line in the 48th minute following successive penalties.
But the Lionesses were unable to capitalise as Kerrie Evans drew in the winger but her pass out to Grace Pritchard couldn’t be taken and the ball went into touch.
And the scoreline gap continued to increase, as from the restart, Brogan Churm broke through the Lionesses defence and went on a 30-metre run.
She was eventually tackled by Eve Ashcroft and Kerrie Evans, but the attack ended with a knock on.
The Lionesses went back on the attack in the 57th minute, with the ball being moved out to Chloe Newbigging who went for the corner but was tackled five metres short on the last tackle.
Two minutes later, the Lionesses turned the ball over to Featherstone, who got the ball out to Shavon Craven who raced down the wing.
However, Craven was stopped in her tracks following a good tackle by Kerrie Evans.
But in the 58th minute the ball was moved across to Alyssa Courtney who was tackled short of the line, with Olivia Grace diving over from dummy half to score next to the posts. Danielle Waters added the conversion.
And the second half attacks persisted, as Featherstone continued to attack downhill towards the Lionesses line.
After a penalty for a high tackle, the ball was moved out to Ashlea Prescott who barged her way over to score. Danielle Waters was unable to add the extras this time around.
But Featherstone attacked again from the kick off, a high ball on the last tackle was knock on by the Lionesses, with and from the restart, the ball was moved out wide to Lydia Fawkes to score in the 75th minute.
Danielle Waters missed the conversion.
Despite the defeat, the Lionesses will return this weekend (Sunday 24 August) as they face Hull KR, hoping to get back to winning ways. More information can be found here.
The match report was provided by Alan Dixon.
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