SWINTON LIONS 22 HALIFAX PANTHERS 24
IAN RIGG, Edge Hall Road, Orrell, Sunday

HALIFAX snatched a last-gasp victory through Myles Lawford’s conversion of Jesse Soric’s try just as it looked like the Yorkshire side’s concession of three second-half penalties was going to prove costly.

Both teams had trouble holding the ball in the opening exchanges, but Ben Tibbs put the Panthers ahead after four minutes when quick passing to the right led to him going over in the corner. Will Brough converted impressively from the touchline.

There were further dropped balls by both sides before Halifax went further ahead on 17 minutes when Darius Carter took a pass from Alfie Johnson to score, but Brough missed the kick.

Zach Fishwick had a chance for the visitors but lost the ball in a good position before Swinton hit back just before the half-hour when Tom Ratchford fed Samy Kibula to crash in by the posts and Reece Briers converted.

Carter added his second try six minutes from the break after a nice ball from Soric, but again Brough missed the goal.

His teammate Jacob Fairbank was sinbinned a couple of minutes from the break for a late challenge.

And Swinton took advantage just before the hooter when a good passing movement finished with Harry Higham diving in wide out, although Briers couldn’t convert.

Halifax forced a goal-line drop-out in the opening minutes of the second half but lost the ball, putting the home side back on the attack.

And Swinton added their third try on 47 minutes when Kibula set up Gav Rodden to score and Briers goaled to make it 16-14.

Briers put his side further ahead on 53 minutes with a penalty-goal for offside from in front of the posts.

Halifax were soon on the attack again and Adam Jones put in a try-saving tackle in on Carter.

Briers added another penalty-goal from 35 metres out, this time for holding down, then another for offside, making it 22-14.

It seemed like Swinton had done enough, but Ben Crooks went over on the right for a try on 69 minutes, although Lawford couldn’t add the two.

It was end-to-end stuff, with both sides having great chances, but the scramble defence was brilliant.

The seconds were ticking away, and Swinton were defending strongly, but well into the final minute, Soric found a gap to dart through and score on the right – and Lawford kicked the winning two points.

GAMESTAR: Excellent play from Australian halfback Jesse Soric set up so many Halifax attacks.

GAMEBREAKER: Soric’s try with just seconds set up Myles Lawford to claim victory from the kicking tee.

MATCHFACTS

LIONS
1 Louie Roberts
33 Dante Morley-Samuels
4 Aaron Lynch
20 Adam Jones
5 Harry Higham
6 Reece Briers
35 Jordy Gibson
22 Jordan Brown
9 Josh Eaves
10 Ben Killan
11 Gav Rodden
12 Aaron Willis
17 Trent Kelly-Duffy
Subs (all used)
8 Samy Kibula
15 Jamie Reddecliff
18 Bobby Shingler
21 Tom Ratchford

Tries: Kibula (29), Higham (39), Rodden (47)
Goals: Briers 5/6

PANTHERS
1 Will Brough
4 Alfie Johnson
22 Darius Carter
11 Ben Crooks
2 Ben Tibbs
6 Jesse Soric
17 Myles Lawford
8 Will Calcott
9 Adam O’Brien
16 Zach Fishwick
12 Owen McCarron
15 Connor Davies
20 Vila Halafihi
Subs (all used)
7 Curtis Davies
13 Jacob Fairbank
21 Ben Forster
25 Delaine Gittens-Bedward

Tries: Tibbs (4), Carter (17, 34), Crooks (69), Soric (80)
Goals: Brough 1/3, Lawford 1/2
Sin bin: Fairbank (38) – late tackle

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-10, 6-10, 6-14, 10-14; 16-14, 18-14, 20-14, 22-14, 22-18, 22-24

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Lions: Jordy Gibson; Panthers: Jesse Soric

Penalty count: 7-4
Half-time: 10-14
Referee: Lucas Seal
Attendance: 551