It was a great afternoon for rugby at Barkers Lane but the first 6 or 7 minutes of the match was a ‘same old same old Swifts’ as they were slow to start and went down by fourteen points in the very early exchanges of the match due to poor tackling and organisation in the back line. It could have been a very different afternoon for the Swifts Boys had they not regrouped as a team and moved forward.

Once again, the Swifts forwards showed courage with some ferocious hits going in on the opposition pack, showing that there was no way through when Jimmies were attacking. Deft accuracy by Harley, Adde and Holmes in the Swifts line-out rendered them untouchable resulting in an impressive 100% record in the set piece which secured fantastic ball for the back row of Goss and Lancaster to bust through the gain line time and time again. It was only a matter of time before this partnership paid off with Goss and Lancaster both going over the line, levelling the score at 14-14 after the boot of Robson added the extras.

A further converted try from Lancaster, and just a penalty from Jimmies, saw the hosts go in at half time in the lead but not quite home and dry.

Jimmies came out firing in the second half, eager to cancel out the deficit which they soon did with a clutch of penalties and a further try allowing them to lead by just one point with around 20 minutes to go. Once again Swifts had to regroup and revert to playing their own game.

With second half tries coming from Wilson, Payne and Allen, all converted by Robson, the hosts held a convincing 13 point lead to the final whistle.

Despite making it hard work for themselves, Swifts showed great character and composure and never stopped working for one another to secure the win. The points margin could have been even greater as Prop Wilson knows only full well, but it was a fantastic display by Swifts who now move into fifth place in the league, just five points away from the third placed team.

Points Scorers
No7 Liam Lancaster, sponsored by Hills Plumbing and Heating
No 8 Jamie Goss sponsored by Commando Group Fitness
No10 Wade Allen sponsored by Hills Plumbing and Heating
No15 Carl Payne sponsored by CPLC Associates
No 16 Matt Wilson sponsored by Dr Bernard Claxton

6 Conversions by No9 Robbo Robson, sponsored by Mr Craig Price