Another Reason I Was Happy On The Weekend Of The 25/26th Of March...

So Swinton defeated a professional team and it gets relegated to just 4 paragraphs as Scumford actually won again, fucking Advertiser. Indignant I was. Still it was an awesome perfomance.


Swinton Lions pulled off a stunning victory against full time local rivals Leigh Centurions at The Coliseum.

Swinton stood toe to toe with the professional Leythers and grittily hung on for victory in the pouring rain and the deep mire.

This was in spite of going behind to a try in the first set of six after the kick off, Dean Gaskell scooting in at the corner, Karl Forber added an excellent touchline conversion 0-6.

Then after eight minutes, Ricky Bibey dropped the ball and Andy Saywell scooped it up superbly and raced in at the corner. Kris Smith missed a difficult wide out conversion. 4-6

Leigh looked to reassert their authority and Adam Hughes charged over down the left flank after fine handling across the pitch. 4-10

This fine handling then proceeded to desert them whereas the Lions remained glued to the ball in the slippy conditions.

The Lions loomed larger in the Centurions slipstream as Wayne English darted through and found support from Mike Stout who divebombed for the corner. 8-10

They could have snatched a deserved half time lead as well, Saywell stopped by some desperate defending after Smith had smashed Tere Glassie causing a knock on.

What happened next in the second half deserved to win any game, Ian Watson feigned one way then dribbled a grubber underneath the sticks and it was English who beat Moana and Saywell to touch down. Smith couldn’t miss the conversion. 14-10

The Lions were tackling magnificently, at one point holding out two sets on the their own line and refusing to let Leigh unleash their speedsters who ripped Swinton apart at Park Lane.

Both wingers were pushed out in their respective corners and a Tommy Grundy break ended out of play thanks to aggressive Lions defence.

When Swinton ventured upfield Smith also astutely popped over two penalties for obstruction and interference. The fans cheekily chanting “Easy!” as the lead spread out to eight points. 18-10

Despite being second best, Leigh were still close and pulled the gap to just four when Danny Halliwell dived onto a loose ball after Stout’s error. 18-14

Then Scott Grix knocked on a certain try under the posts, the Lions were not to be denied and doggedly clung on for a memorable victory.

Swinton: Wayne English, Andy Saywell, Dave Alstead, Dave Llewellyn, Mike Stout, Mick Coates, Ian Watson, Dave Newton, Andy Crabtree, Wes Rogers, Chris Morley, Kris Smith, Martin Moana
SUBS: Safraz Patel, Richard Marshall, Jordan James, Keiron Hersnip

Leigh: Scott Grix, Dean Gaskell, Tommy Grundy, Adam Hughes, Misili Manu, Karl Forber, Aaron Heremaia, Ricky Bibey, Gary Sykes, Dana Wilson, James Taylor, Tere Glassie, Rob Roberts
SUBS: Danny Halliwell, Danny Speakman (NU), Chris Hill, Warren Stevens

Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury)

Attendance: 1,717

MOTM: Swinton: Ian Watson Leigh: Warren Stevens

Alan Update!

For Katelass and Volcanop and anyone else who cares reading this...

I saw Alan on Wednesday afternoon in his usual spot. He was due to get his results on Thursday but I haven't seen him since.

He was chirpy and delighted by all the comments. He even had the printout of the Manchester group forum in his pocket and said he was on the lookout for jeffthelion! I think he was surprised it was me. It was a lovely chat. It made you put your own problems in perspective when someone who is technically homeless can be that jolly.

He also said that the staff at the Upper levels of the Big Issue had been shown this thread. The Big Issue has had its' problems recently with bad press and aggressive begging on the increase. For some reason they have also chosen to change the crux of their advertising from having concern for the homeless to pity for them. To my mind a massive step back in mentality. So hopefully I have made a little impression on their minds and this and other demonstrations of people showing concern for the vendors may make them consider showing them as respectable people not creatures of pity.

If you don't know what I am talking about, check this:

http://community.livejournal.com/manchester/440358.html

Anyway, hopefully tomorrow I can do a couple more general updates of the past couple of weeks and fun weekends! I should be able to this as thanks to an alcohol fuelled incident I can't remember, I now have no glasses and have to get a new pair! Arse!