Swinton Lions 26 Workington Town 22: Swinton Lions picked up their second win in six days but were made to fight all the way for their victory as Workington kept up the pressure right to the end.

Lions Coach John Duffy commented that it had been a hard week in training turning round quickly after the Oldham game but the team deserved their victory.

The Lions took the lead in the fifth minute when full back Gabriel Fell on loan from Wigan Warriors sold a huge dummy to the Town defence to cross on the right and Chris Atkin added the conversion.

But Town hit back three minutes later when Jarrod Sammut sent a nice pass out to the left and Jack Murphy raced in to score but Carl Forber could not convert.

Brett Phillips then went close and was held up on the Line and Swinton came away with the ball to add their second try on 14 minutes when Fell chimed into the line to feed Stuart Litter who scored the try in his 500th career game and Atkin again converted to put his side back ahead.

Anthony Nicholson was held up in the 19th minute and from the pressure on the line it was Fell again who set up the next try this time for Rhodri Lloyd who scored on the left but Atkin could not convert this one.

Connor Dwyer then went close for the Lions before Town forced a goalline drop-out and from the pressure on the line a good passing movement that involved about eight Town players saw Chris Murphy score in the left corner and Forber added a super touchline conversion to put his side right back in the game.

The Lions though went further ahead in the dying minutes of the half when Lloyd, Fell and Atkin combined to send Liam Marshall in at the corner but again Atkin could not convert and the Lions held a 10-point advantage at the break.

What Town coach Phil Vievers said to his side is not known but he can’t have been happy with the first half although they forced a goal-line drop-out in the third minute of the second half.

From it Graeme Mattinson slipped through a few tackles to score by the posts and Forber added the simple conversion and then three minutes later they took the lead when pressure from a penalty saw Sammut score on the left and Forber converted with his 500th goal for Workington.

Town then started to turn the screw and were camped on the Lions’ line for what seemed an age. They had a couple of chances but the Lions’ defence held out.

The Lions then had a chance from a kick through but Murphy was safe at the back and collected it to stop the attack and then Forber broke clear and a great tackle by Fell stopped a certain try at a crucial time in the game.

Atkin added the Lions next try on 67 minutes when Dwyer broke clear and sent out a nice pass to the Lions scrum half who raced in under the posts and then added the conversion.

Town would not lie down and continued to throw everything at the Lions in the final minutes and it took two great defensive catches from Fell and Marshall to stop them scoring as the home side held out for victory.

Swinton: Gabriel Fell, Shaun Robinson, Stuart Littler, Rhodri Lloyd, Liam Marshall, Ben White, Chris Atkin, Mike Morrison, Anthony Nicholson, Jordan Hand, Connor Dwyer, Andy Thornley, Stephen Nash. Subs (All Used):Josh Barlow, Matty Beharell, Rob Lever, Ben Austin

Tries: Fell (5), Littler (14), Lloyd (21), Marshall (37), Atkin (67); Goals : Atkin 3/5

Workington Town: Jack Murphy, Theerapol Ritson, Perry Whiteley, Jason Mossop, Chris Murphy, Carl Forber, Jarrod Sammut, Chris Coward, Jamie Doran, Oliver Gordon, Brett Phillips, Jarrod Stack, Liam McAvoy. Subs: (all used) Graeme Mattinson, Marc Shackley, Tom Walker, Ryan Verlinden

Tries: J.Murphy (8), C. Murphy (29), Mattinson (43), Sammut (47); Goals: Forber 3/4

Ref: Mike Woodhead

Att: 501