Blackpool Panthers 30 Swinton Lions 28

Two tries in the last three minutes saw the Panthers come back from the dead to record back to back victories for the first time since July 2006. In the match of the season at the woodlands, Swinton looked certain to complete a National League Two double over Martin Crompton’s side as they moved into a 10-point lead going into the final five minutes. And any lingering hopes the home supporters harboured surely disappeared when scrum half Paul Ashton failed to kick the ball 10 meters from the restart, conceding a penalty which put Swinton straight back on the attack. Yet somehow, having trailed for over an hour, Blackpool dug deep enough to raise themselves from the grave with tries in the 77th and 79th minutes, and still have time to see another spectacular “try” disallowed after the final hooter. And if the result was perhaps harsh on Swinton on the balance of play in the second half, Blackpool had more than held their own in the first and hardly deserved to trail 18-6 at the interval.

Among the outstanding players in the home ranks was versatile skipper Paul Anderson, who switched from the back row to right centre in the absence of John Gillam from the back division and proved a potent threat, running like an extra forward and offloading well.

The strong wind worked mainly in Blackpool’s favour in the first half but they soon found themselves on the back foot as their defence opened up for loose forward Martin Moana to walk through down the right. Richie Hawkyard’s conversion put Swinton 6-0 ahead after two minutes.

Blackpool scored from their first attack – the strong running Kris Ratcliffe had been held up over the line following three penalties in quick succession, then play swung left for Matt Ashe to stretch over. Ashton levelled with the simplest of conversions.

Swinton were back in front after 14 minutes when centre Ben Williams exploited the acres of space outside Ashton to send winger Marlon Billy in at the corner. Hawkyard made the most of the wind to expertly add the extras. Twice winger Damian Munroe couldn’t provide the finishing touch, first failing to hold Ashton’s overhead pass and then cutting inside only to pass straight to Williamson.

Blackpool looked like ending the half on top especially when Swinton Scrum half Gary Hulse was sin binned for interference but the visitors immediately gained procession and second rower Darren Gibson split the defence with a powerful surge before Moana charged over for his second try.

Hawkyards goal gave Swinton a misleading 12 point cushion at half time. Panthers had to score early in the second half and this they did within two minutes as hooker John Clough, catching the eye at half back as Ashton sat out the third quarter, had plenty of time to touch down a grubber by stand off Ashe who added the goal. But no sooner had Swinton got their full complement back on the field than they scored again.

Ben Hamilto restored the 10 point cushion , Hawkyard’s missed conversion was his only failure in four attempts. Panthers substitute Andy Wallace made an immediate impact before Craig Tunstead, another impressive replacement, jincked over on 56 minutes. But the momentum swung again as prop Peter Fairhurst’s knock on deep in Blackpool’s half resulted in a sustained spell of Swinton pressure, hooker Gary Tykes thought he had scored but was held up until Gary Hulse charged through for what looked like the match winning score, Liam McGovern goaled to make it 28-18.

Yet the Blackpool hero was yet to emerge – right winger Munro. It was his interseption which loosened the Swinton Stranglehold and with support from Dave Llewellyn he finished in superb style. Two minutes later, Munro went from try maker to scorer, supporting the outstanding Anderson’s break from deep in his own half to sprint home. Ashe added both goals to make it four from four.

Last time Blackpool won two games on the run they proceeded to lose the next 46. On this performance their next win should not be so far away.