Swinton dedicate win to McCormack

Swinton dedicated their 20-10 success at Keighley to outgoing coach Steve McCormack who quit days before the game for family reasons.

Assistant player-coach Ian Watson took charge of team affairs ahead of the game while Marlon Billy called the shots from the touchline at Cougar Park on Saturday.

It was Swinton’s first win in 11 games and took them off the bottom of the Championship table as they sift through applications for their new coach.

Watson said: “It has been a little bit difficult but we have got a good back-room staff here.

“Marlon and everyone else have been brilliant and we said if we could perform well and win the game we would dedicate it to Steve for all he’s done here.

“It was a great win, away at Keighley, who have been playing really well. They have taken bonus points off teams like Halifax and they were really pleased about how they have been going despite the fact they were still looking for their first win.

“They probably thought it was a must win for them but our boys all turned up with the right attitude and got their rewards.”

The Lions scored tries from James Mendieka, Gavin Bennion, and David Mills, with Ryan Shaw kicking four goals, but Watson reckoned it was defence which won the game.

“We started the game a little bit scrappy and we lost the ball a few times but defensively we were great throughout,” he said.

“The speed was good, contact was good and ultimately our defence won us the game.

“The team spirit came through and all the boys were awesome from oneto 17. We worked hard for each other and that ultimately put us through.

“We defended four sets on the try line back to back a few times. We stayed composed and dealt with everything they threw at us.

“It was a tough game but it always is playing away in the Championship.”