SWINTON Lions were consigned to the bottom of the Championship table by London Broncos, who remain top and are averaging close to 50 points a game in 2018 – their latest win a 64-18 triumph at Heywood Road.
The side from the capital had established a 22-6 lead when, just before half time, Swinton forward Josh Barlow headbutted London’s Eddie Battye and was sent off, to essentially end it as a contest.
From there, the Broncos ran in eight second-half tries, with two replies from Swinton in a points-fest in the south Manchester sunshine.
It all started so well for the Lions as Jack Hansen nudged a delicate kick out wide and Elliott Caine pilfered the ball in the air from Rhys Williams, and Chris Hankinson scored for a 6-0 Swinton lead.
In response, London notched four first-half scores of their own from Kieran Dixon, Will Lovell and a couple from Alex Walker.
With the extra man after the break, Dixon, James Cunningham (two), James Meadows, Ben Hellewell, Lewis Bienek, Tom Spencer and, completing his hat-trick, Walker all went over for London.
For Swinton, Hayden Hansen crossed and the Lions had the final word, with Hankinson converting his own try in the final minute.
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