Late try sinks Swinton

Swinton 38 Workington 44

Swinton 38 Workington 44

The two most improved sides in National League Two, both illustrious names from the past, produced a free-flowing play-off that was decided only by Tane Manihera's late try. The New Zealander went over in the 80th minute to add to his eight goals from eight attempts.

Workington, closer to the bottom of the table than the top for much of the season, always looked stronger, but Swinton, who have made great progress under Paul Kidd this season, stuck with them in the first half. Their undoing was a trio of close-range tries conceded in 12 minutes after the break, two of them from another New Zealander, the lively hooker Johnny Limmer.

That did not end Swinton's resistance, with their loose forward, Ian Hodson, scoring two tries and setting one up as he led the fightback. Even after Manihera's try, Mick Cotes got one back. "We've come a long way this season,'' said Kidd.

For Workington, the quest for promotion goes on for at least another week. "We were very confident with the ball but if we defend like that we won't win another match,'' said their coach, Gerard Stokes.

* In the National League One play-offs Hull KR thrashed Doncaster 63-22 and Featherstone beat Oldham 33-28.

Swinton: English; Thorpe, Llewellyn, Maye, Warburton; Cotes, Ashton; Cushion, Ayers, Sinfield, K Smith, Russell, Hodson. Substitutes used: Patel, Rogers, Gardner, Whittaker.

Workington: Sione; Woodcock, Wilson, Dawes, Lewthwaite; George, Manihera; Tunstall, Limmer, Burgess, Dean, Tiumaualuga, B Smith. Substitutes used: Bragg, Beaumont, Pettitt, Robinson.

Referee: B Thaler (Castleford).