Whitehaven 22-22 Swinton

Whitehaven ended Swinton’s 100% winning record in Championship 1 after a thrilling 22-22 draw at The Recreation Ground this afternoon.

Haven, who would have been top of the league going into the game if there wasn’t the -9 points penalty, were without key players Craig Benson and Chris Smith whilst the lions were missing Sam Reay and Tommy Gallagher.

The first twenty minutes proved to be a real arm wrestle and it was Haven who got the first points on the board through Lewis Palfrey on twenty minutes. The stand off added the extras to put the hosts 6-0 up.

The visitors then seized the initiative with three tries from in 8 minutes from Gavin Dodd, Martin Ainscough and Ian Mort, two of which were converted by Mort. 

Swinton conceded a penalty in the last minute of the first half with Palfrey opting for the two points. Swinton lead at the half time break 16-8.

Andrew Beattie crossed for Haven early in the second half with Palfrey adding the extras, although Mort hit back on the hour mark with a walk in try which he converted.

Haven then picked up their game and scored fantastic tries through Loz Hamzat and Craig Calvert. Palfrey added the extras to Hamzat’s try but his conversion attempt for Calvert’s try agonisingly hit the post.

With five minutes left, both sides had chances to have the final say but this fantastic spectacle of rugby finished 22-22 with both sides taking two points each.