SWINTON LIONS coach Anthony Murray watched his side go down to a 34-10 defeat at Newcastle – but insisted there were positives to build on.
It was a fourth successive loss and followed the 56-0 setback at home to Doncaster.
It was 22-0 to the Dons at half-time at Heywood Road and the same scoreline at the break at Blaydon.
And Murray, dealt a further blow with news that halfback Jordy Gibson will miss the rest of the season through a knee injury, said: “Both times we were gradually getting to grips with good opponents, but made errors which allowed them to stretch their lead towards the end of the first half, and that left us with a tougher task in each case.
“We were able to limit Newcastle in the second half more than we had done Doncaster, and it was only 12-10 over that 40 minutes, which against a quality, full-time team is encouraging.
“They are up near the top of the table, but we were able to to ask some questions of them, and I think we left some points out there.
“We are still a little bit guilty of lacking composure when we mount attacks, and if something doesn’t come off, we can tend to rush the next play.
“But at least we are putting ourselves into positions where we are threatening good teams.”
Murray continued: “In a number of areas across the board – effort, endeavour and commitment – I couldn’t really have asked for more. The lads stuck to the task right from the kick-off.”
Swinton host Batley Bulldogs on Sunday.