The new look Swinton Lionesses got their season off to a flying start with a convincing victory over Bradford Bulls.
The Lionesses were first to attack the line. A long pass by Emma Dwyer to Alexsis Smith had the winger going for the corner before cutting back inside and passing the ball back to Emma Dwyer who crossed the line but, was deemed to be held. From the restart the ball was moved across to the middle and again the Lionesses were held up over the line. The first points came in the 18th minute. After more pressure by the Lionesses, the ball was moved out wide to Alexsis Smith who scored in the corner. Michelle Davis was unable to convert.
Nine minutes later they were in again. After pressure by the Bulls, the Lionesses broke out of defence. A good run by Emma Dwyer set up Jasmine Wilson to score in the corner. The conversion attempt by Michelle Davis fell under the bar. The Lionesses now led 8-0. From the restart, they swept downfield which ended with Sammi Simpson being tackled just short of the line. The Lionesses next possession ended in a knock on. This allowed Phoebe Allott to break through the Lionesses defence and put the Bulls on the attack. The Bulls pressure came to fruition on the stroke of half time. Another knock on by the Lionesses allowed the Bulls to move the ball out to Beatriz Furtado Da Silva who crashed over the line to score. Courtney Marsh converted to reduce the Lionesses lead to two points.
The second half started with the Lionesses pressurising the Bulls line. After a stoppage for an injury, the ball was moved out wide for Sammi Simpson to score. Michelle Davis hit the post with the conversion attempt. Bradford then had Lucy Butterfield sent to the sin bin in the 54th minute for an off the ball hit on Lottie Meacham. Relentless pressure on the Bradford in ended with Lottie Meacham being held up. The Lionesses finally crossed the line to score in the 59th minute. The Bulls lost the ball. It was recovered by Eve Ashcroft who put the Lionesses back on the attack. The ball found its way to Shannon Stephens who broke through the Bulls defence to race 20 metres to the line to score. Michelle Davis converted to extend the Lionesses lead to 18-6.
Bradford were penalised at the restart. This gave the Lionesses good field position. Darcey Price went on a barnstorming run before getting the ball out to Shannon Stephens who raced 25 metres to score by the posts. Michelle Davis added the extras. The Lionesses scored again in the 69th minute. After more pressure on the Bulls line, the ball found its way to Jodie Morris who crashed over by the posts to score. Michelle Davis converted. The Bulls tried to get away from their own line in the 75th minute but they were tackled behind their own line. From the drop out, the ball was moved out to Cailey Miller who raced in at the corner to score. The conversion attempt by Michelle Davis fell under the bar.
Teams :
Swinton Lionesses : Eve Ashcroft, Cailey Miller, Sammi Simpson, Libby Clarke, Alexsis Smith, Beth Hayes, Michelle Davis, Darcey Price, Emma Dwyer, Cat Davies, Jasmine Wilson, Tina Millan, Amelia Newton. Subs : Lottie Meacham, Shannon Stephens, Jodie Morris, Morgan Pearson.
Tries : Smith (18), Wilson (27), Simpson (46), Stephens (59,61), Morris (69), Miller (75)
Goals : Davis 3
Bradford Bulls : Phoebe Allott, Gracie Dutton, Bailey Alexander, Hannah Donald, Paigan Taylor, Courtney Marsh, Lucy Butterfield, Jess Clements, Ellen Johnson-Strafford, Michaela Magonya, Tamzin Butterfield, Freya Burn, Lara Dalby. Subs : Grace Waites, Beatriz Furtado Da Silva, Millie Dearn, Scarlett Penrose.
Try : Furtado Da Silva (39)
Goal : Marsh
Pens : 5-4 Half Time : 8-6 Referee : Reece Schofield
Written by Alan Dixon at Heywood Road
