Swinton Lions Wheelchair International Games.

Alan Dixon reporting.

It was another historic day for the Swinton Lions Wheelchair team as they played their first ever international opponents in Welsh side Aber Valley Wolves. They played a development game and a first team game.

In the development game, the Lions took the lead in the sixth minute when a combined effort sent in Louis Liptrott for his first Swinton try. The Wolves hit back with two tries and a conversion. The scores were level in the 21st minute. An Aber Valley handling error led to Ian Cronshaw scoring. Duncan Clarke converted. Aber Valley regained the lead before a solo effort by Elliott Robinson reduced the arrears. The Lions went back into the lead five minutes into the second half. A kick downfield was taken by Ian Cronshaw who went over for his second try of the match. Duncan Clarke converted. The Wolves hit back with two more tries and a conversion.

The Lions dominated the first team game. They went into a 34-0 lead with five tries from the clinical play of Dan Robinson and one from Jordan Parker. Dan Robinson also kicked five goals. Aber Valley got their only points of the first half. Andy Unwin, Elina Parker, Dan Robinson and Jordan Parker added further tries before half time. The second half started with a brace of tries from Dan Robinson and one from Charlie Gordon. The Wolves responded with two tries of their own before a brace of tries from Jordan Parker and one try each from Elina Parker, Dan Robinson and Robin Cronshaw completed the Lions scoring. Aber Valley scored the final points of the match.

Swinton Lions Development 20      Aber Valley Wolves Development 26

Squad: Donna Robinson, Ian Cronshaw, Mark Jackson, Duncan Clarke, Ben Molnar, Cat Cronshaw, Elliott Robinson, Louis Liptrott, Jax Parker.

Tries: Liptrott (6), I. Cronshaw (21,36), E. Robinson (29)

Goals: Clarke 2

Half Time: 14-16

Swinton Lions 92      Aber Valley Wolves 20

Squad: Andy Unwin, Elina Parker, Dan Robinson, Charlie Gordon, Andy Ainley, Robin Cronshaw, Duncan Clarke, Jordan Parker.

Tries: Robinson 9, J. Parker 4, E. Parker 2, Unwin, Gordon, Cronshaw

Goals: Robinson 10

Half Time: 58-4

*** Notes kindly provided by Angela Clarke ***