Lions please Littler in Bulls loss

SWINTON bounced back from the comprehensive opening-round defeat at Sheffield with a much-improved show at home to Bradford, though the Bulls did prove too strong in the second half.

Lions boss Stuart Littler said he had challenged his side to show the 64-10 loss to the Eagles doesn’t define them as a team and was impressed with what he saw, particularly in the first half.

After Bradford took an early lead, Mike Butt and Liam Forsyth crossed before a Chris Hankinson penalty made it 12-6 to Swinton after half an hour.

The Bulls hit back with a converted try and penalty to take a two-point lead into half time and scored a further 17 unanswered points in the second period to secure a 31-12 victory.

Rochdale were in front of the Sky Sports cameras for the visit of Toronto and the transatlantic full-timers understandably proved too strong for Carl Forster’s side.

The Wolfpack had already crossed three times when Adam Lawton – who joined on loan from Salford midweek – scored with his first touch of the ball in a Hornets shirt.

The visitors would go on to rack up a further eight tries, including four for former Wigan and Warrington winger Matty Russell.

Leigh ran Halifax close but found themselves on the wrong end of a 33-26 scoreline at The Shay.

Tries from Andy Thornley and Jonny Pownall, plus a Martyn Ridyard penalty kept the Centurions within a try of the home side at half-time, but Fax extended their advantage to 30-12 early in the second half.

John Duffy’s side rallied after Pownall was sent off for dissent, but tries from both Adamson brothers, Luke and Toby, were not enough to secure an away win.