**** Andy Unwin dives between the posts to score the first ever League try ****

Hull Kingston Rovers Wheelchair    78        Swinton Lions Wheelchair    36

Alan Dixon at Allam Sports Centre, Hull

It was an Historic day for the Lions Wheelchair team as they took to the field for their first ever league game.

The Lions were soon on the attack. Unfortunately, they lost control of the ball which allowed Rovers to get to halfway. Aaron Good broke through the Lions defence to score. Matt Felmingham added the conversion. Hull Kingston Rovers attacked again from the kick off. After winning a penalty, Harry Norton broke through the defence to score. Matt Felmingham added the conversion. The Lions were soon attacking the Rovers line. A lick over the top by Dan Robinson was collected by Charlie Gordon who was tackled short of the line. The ball was moved back to Dan Robinson whose chip over the top hit the posts. Rovers knocked on trying to retrieve the ball. The Lions were unable to convert the pressure into points. The Lions went the full length on their next possession with good runs by Andy Unwin and Dan Robinson resulting in Andy Ainley being tackled just short of the line. An inside pass by Dan Robinson to Charlie Gordon could not be taken. Rovers Owen Norton recovered the ball and went the full length to score under the posts. Mia Morfitt converted. Rovers next attack resulted in the Lions conceding a penalty for offside. Matt Felmingham kicked the penalty. The Lions recovered the kick off with Elina Parker taking the ball to the line. The ball was moved across to Dan Robinson whose pass to Charlie Gordon could not be taken. This sent Hull KR back on the attack with Mia Morfitt breaking through the defence to score under the posts. She converted her own try. The Lions kick off went dead in goal. Rovers moved the ball back into the middle. Matt Felmingham’s chip over the top was taken by Mia Morfitt. A last-ditch tackle by Dan Robinson prevented her from scoring.

The Lions tried to come out of defence but, a wayward pass forced them to drop out from under the posts. The ball went to Harry Norton who went from one side of the pitch to the other before passing it to Karl Jacob. His return pass to Harry Norton sent him in at the corner. Karl Jacob converted. Good runs by Charlie Gordon, Dan Robinson and Andy Unwin sent the Lions back on the attack. Dan Robinson kicked ahead for Charlie Gordon to chase but the kick was too long. From the restart, Hull KR went back on the attack with Owen Norton breaking through the defence to score. Karl Jacob converted. Rovers went back on the attack with Owen Norton breaking away before being tackled by Andy Unwin. The ball was moved across to Matt Felmingham who sent out a wide pass to Ruben Kay to score. The try was disallowed for a forward pass. A good run by Elina Parker up to halfway set up the Lions next attack. The attack continued with Dan Robinson, but Andy Unwin lost the ball in the tackle. Rovers next attack ended with the ball going dead in goal. Good runs by Charlie Gordon and Dan Robinson got the Lions a penalty but, they were unable to capitalise on Rovers’ mistake. Rovers lost the ball on their next possession. Dan Robinson recovered the ball to set up the next Lions attack. Dan Robinson broke through the defence and passed the ball out to Andy Unwin who is tackled short of the line. The ball was then passed across the field to Elina Parker who is tackled short of the line on the last tackle. Rovers went back on the attack. Owen Norton went from one side of the pitch to the other before going around the outside of the defence to score. Karl Jacob converted. The Lions conceded a penalty on the last play of the half. This allowed Owen Norton to put Matt Felmingham through a gap to score. Karl Jacob converted.

The second half started with Rovers on the attack. The Lions knocked on from a Rovers kick. Karl Jacob was tackled short of the line. The ball was then moved out to Joshua Mackenzie to score. Karl Jacob converted. History was made for the Lions in the 47th minute when they scored their first ever points. After getting a penalty, Dan Robinson broke through the Rovers defence before passing the ball out to Elina Parker who was tackled. A short pass sent Andy Unwin over to score. Dan Robinson converted. Rovers forced a drop out from the restart. Drives by Joshua Mackenzie and Mia Morfitt set up good field position for Rovers. A cross-field kick by Ruben Kay, was too long. The Lions lost possession of the ball. Rovers moved the ball quickly across the field to Aaron Good who scored in the corner. Joshua Mackenzie converted. Rovers lost the ball on their next possession. Elina Parker recovered the ball and sent Duncan Clarke on a run up field. The ball was moved to Dan Robinson who sent Andy Unwin through the Rovers defence before passing the ball out to Charlie Gordon to score in the corner. Dan Robinson converted. The Lions then conceded a penalty for double tagging. This allowed Aaron Good to send Joshua Mackenzie in to score. He converted his own try.

Rovers Mia Morfitt set up their next attack. She drove the ball up field before passing it out to Aaron Good who then passed it onto Joshua Mackenzie who sent Ruben Kay away to score. The try was disallowed for a knock on. The Lions were soon back on the attack. Dan Robinson passed the ball to Charlie Gordon who sent Andy Unwin away to score. Dan Robinson converted. The Lions lost the ball on their next possession. This allowed Owen Norton and Aaron Good to set up a try for Mia Morfitt. She converted her own try. This didn’t deter the Lions. Rovers allowed the restart to bounce in their own in goal. This allowed Andy Unwin to race in to score. Dan Robinson converted. The Lions continued to attack from the restart. Good runs by Dan Robinson and Andy Unwin sent Andy Ainley over to score. The try was disallowed and the Lions were awarded a penalty for offside. From the penalty, Andy Unwin scored by the posts. Dan Robinson converted. Rovers next possession end with them going into touch. From the restart, Andy Unwin sent Dan Robinson in to score. He converted his own try. The Lions final attack ended with a forward pass. Rovers went back on the attack. A good passing move between Harry Norton, Owen Norton, Aaron Good and Mia Morfitt sent Ruben Kay away to score.  Mia Morfitt missed the conversion.

Teams:

Hull Kingston Rovers Wheelchair: Mia Morfitt, Harry Norton, Aaron Good, Matt Felmingham, Owen Norton. Subs: Ruben Kay, Karl Jacob, Joshua Mackenzie, Ella Taylor.

Tries: Good (2,51), H. Norton (4,23), O. Norton (12,27,38), Morfitt (18,66), Felmingham (39), Mackenzie (43,59), Kay (79)

Goals: Felmingham 3, Morfitt 3, Jacob 5, Mackenzie 2

Swinton Lions Wheelchair: Andy Unwin, Elina Parker, Dan Robinson, Andy Ainley, Charlie Gordon. Subs: Duncan Clarke, Ian Cronshaw, Donna Robinson.

Tries: Unwin (47,63,68,71), Gordon (55), Dan Robinson (75)

Goals: Dan Robinson 6

Pens: 4-4                  Half Time: 50-0                  Referee: Pete Durrant

Players of the Match: Dan Robinson (Swinton Lions), Owen Norton (Hull KR)