SWINTON Lions were the victims of a revenge mission when Rochdale Hornets won 25-12 in the Championship at Heywood Road last weekend.

The Lions had beaten the Hornets 38-12 the previous weekend at the Summer Bash but went down on home soil as Hornets moved above them in the table.

At times, the Lions were their own worst enemies, missed conversions once again proving the difference at home, while Josh Barlow received both a yellow and red card for different incidents.

Rochdale took a lead they were never to relinquish when Tyler Whittaker skipped away from the cover before sending in Danny Yates by the posts.

It was crunching defence from the Lions that yielded their first try, Hayden Hansen nudging the ball from Declan Hatton’s grasp, and Rhodri Lloyd off Gabriel Fell’s pass crossing on the left soon afterwards.

A Swinton try was controversially but correctly ruled out; Hansen was offside at the play the ball but not involved in play until he caught a try-scoring pass from Mike Butt.

Hornets then pulled away with Gary Middlehurst, Rob Massam and Deon Cross finishing converted tries for a comfortable lead.

The Lions fought back with Lloyd claiming his second and Chris Hankinson grabbing a couple plus a conversion but Whittaker finally secured matters with a late drop goal.