Atkin’s dropgoal is perfect parting gift
A LATE dropgoal from the departing Chris Atkin sealed what could prove to be a vital victory for SWINTON at home to Halifax.
The halfback has been the Lions’ star performer so far this season and so it came as little surprise when it was announced last week that he will be joining Hull KR at the end of the season, trying his hand in a full-time environment.
But his commitment to the Swinton cause could not be denied at Heywood Road yesterday as John Duffy’s side picked up two muchneeded points to move to ninth in the Championship table.
Tries from Oliver Davies and Shaun Robinson gave the home side a 10-0 lead at half-time, before Fax hit back with two converted tries of their own.
However, Atkin slotted a penalty and one-pointer late on to seal the win.
OLDHAM were one of the sides leapfrogged by the Lions as they went down to a 47-12 defeat at Bradford. Sammy Gee and Dave Hewitt got the tries for Roughyeds, but by the time they got themselves on the board, the visitors were already trailing by 35.
ROCHDALE took the lead at home to Batley, but were denied by a late flurry from the Bulldogs.
Lewis Galbraith opened the scoring for the Hornets and tries from Jake Eccleston and Gary Middlehurst meant the two sides were level at 14-14 with five minutes remaining, but a converted try and two penalties from Pat Walker secured the result for the visitors.