Stakes significantly raised for Lions’ visit

IF Rochdale Hornets thought Monday’s derby with Oldham was crucial, it is nothing compared to tomorrow’s clash with local rivals Swinton Lions.

Going into the game just one point separates the three Greater Manchester clubs, as the Bank Holiday produced one of the most dramatic rounds of the current Championship campaign.

The Hornets went into the fourth round of the Championship Shield three points ahead of the drop zone, and a victory over the Roughyeds would have distanced themselves from the relegation scrap.

Swinton headed into the bank holiday with a tough trip to Dewsbury Rams, the form team of the competition, and weren’t given a chance of breaking the Yorkshire club’s winning run.

Everything went against Alan Kilshaw’s men though, as his opposite number Scott Naylor claimed his first win of the season over the Hornets and the Lions claimed a shock victory away from home.

It was a back-andforth first half at the Crown Oil Arena, as Chris Riley and Jake Eccleston replied to tries from Joe Burke and Luke Adamson, before Adam Clay crossed against 12 men as Lewis Galbraith was sin binned.

The centre was judged to have tripped the breakaway Luke Hooley, and subsequently sat out the final 10 minutes of the first period, with Oldham leading 18-8 at the break.

Hornets dominated the opening exchanges in the second period, as Ryan Maneely snuck over from dummy half to put the hosts within six points.

They then had sustained pressure on the Oldham line, but a combination of stubborn defence, lack of ideas and poor handling saw them come away without any points.

When Burke crossed up the other end it was a killer blow to their chances, until Rob Massam barged over in the corner to ignite hope of a comeback.

An unforgiveable Lee Mitchell knock on was punished in the next set, as Hooley touched down under the sticks, with Jo