Swinton Lionesses were able to get their season off to positive start with a dominant victory over the Bradford Bulls.
The new-look Lionesses beat the Bulls 34-6 in a incredible performance to kick start the new season, with tries coming from Alexis Smith, Jasmine Wilson, Sammi Simpson, Jodie Morris, Cailey Miller and two from Shannon Stephens.
The Lionesses started the game in full control with the first try coming in the 18th minute, when the ball was moved out wide and was scored in the corner by Smith, however, they were able to extend their lead as the conversion was not completed.
After some pressure from the Bulls, the Lionesses regained control of the ball and scored in the corner again, this time by Jasmine Wilson, and once again the conversion came up short.
More attacking threat from the Lionesses continued as they swept downfield which ended with Simpson being tackled just short of the line.
The Swinton Lionesses next attack ended in a knock on, which meant the Bulls gained control of the ball.
However, another knock on by the Lionesses allowed the Bulls to forward the ball to Beatriz Furtado Da Silva who smashed over the line to score – and with the conversion scored it meant that the gap reduced to two points at half-time.
And the second half began with more pressure by the Lionesses. After an injury stoppage, Swinton moved the ball out to the line for Simpson to score. The conversion was missed.
The Bulls then went down a player due to a sin bin for Lucy Butterfield in the 54th minute for an off the ball hit.
Relentless pressure on Bradford in ended with Lottie Meacham being held up and the Lionesses finally crossed the line to score in the 59th minute.
The Bulls lost the ball which was then was recovered by Eve Ashcroft who put the Lionesses back on the attack. The ball was passed to Stephens who broke through the Bulls defence to race 20 metres to the line to score. Michelle Davis converted to extend the Lionesses lead to 18-6.
Bradford were penalised at the restart; this gave the Lionesses good field position. Darcey Price went on a barnstorming run before getting the ball out to Stephens who ran 25 metres to score by the posts – and Michelle Davis converted the conversion.
The Lionesses scored again in the 69th minute, following a huge amount of pressure on the Bulls line, with the ball finding its way to Jodie Morris who crashed over by the posts to score – allowing Davis to convert the chance.
The Bulls tried to get away from their own line in the 75th minute but they were tackled behind their own line. From the drop out, the ball was moved out to Miller who raced in at the corner to score. The conversion attempt by Michelle Davis fell under the bar.
The game finished 34-6 to the Lionesses – and they now sit second in the league and will hope to maintain winning form as they face Hull KR on Sunday 30 March.
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