Jeff Tyldesley reports from Park Lane

Gateshead Thunder deservedly defeated National League 2 play off rivals Swinton Lions and hopped over them in the league table into fifth in the process.

The Lions could point to a crippling injury list leaving them bereft of around a dozen first team players including Phil Wood, Andy Saywell, Adam Bibey, Wayne English and Darren Gibson.

As a result, Swinton handed debuts to ex-stand off Tommy Frodsham’s son’ Chris signed from Thatto Heath at full back and centre Ben Williamson returning to the Lions from Langworthy. Frodsham especially didn’t disappoint, grabbing two tries in a fine all round display.

However Gateshead can only play what was put in front of them and put on a thoroughly impressive and efficient display of rugby league.

Their big pack laid a platform and half backs Neil Thorman and Dan Russell weaved the magic particularly with the ball at their feet.

The game did start promisingly for the home side though, Thunder second rower Lewis McPhail spilled the Lions high kick off but Gateshead repelled the attack and then incisively opened the scoring. A run around was worked near the Swinton line allowing prolific full back Stuart Kain to stroll over with Dan Russell goaling.

Danny Wilson then anticipated Neil Rigby’s offload beautifully but couldn’t keep hold otherwise the winger looked favourite to race away for another score.

Swinton finally got some more pressure on the Gateshead line but swarming Thunder defence on Gary Sykes preventing a hand snaking out to ground it. The Lions did get over when cutting running from Frodsham created a debut try. Chris Brand nudged the touchline kick wide.

Thunder recovered well after Hull went without Sykes’ pass, Dean Jamieson twisting over with a trio of tacklers on him.

Swinton retorted with a sharp try of their own, Hulse sent the ball wide and Frodsham’s great ball enabled Marlon Billy to sail in at the corner, Brand’s goal dropped just under the crossbar.

Swinton winger Barry Hamilton went on report for a tackle that prevented Kain racing in for another. Dylan Nash then tipped a poor pass into Billy’s hands. He made it sixty metres before he was dragged to ground. Swinton went close as Frodsham scooped up Hulse’s grubber but was gang tackled to the ground and Martin Moana burst through but lost his footing on the turf.

Despite this, Gateshead didn’t leak points once again then Ryan Clarke’s speedy play the ball gave Kain all the space he needed for his second.

A scrum then allowed Moana to drift across the Thunder line, no one approached and once again Frodsham swooped on a gap like a vampire bat to go over with Brand adding his first goal of the half for 14-16 just prior to the hooter.

Scoring before the break is normally a great fillip but within three minutes it was Gateshead who were further ahead, all because of an appalling error when Hulse’s penalty didn’t find touch. A few plays later and Danny Wilson was celebrating as Russell’s kick teed him up nicely.

Three tries in ten minutes was the killer blow from Gateshead, Wilson was involved again in the first, his break down the right sucked in Frodsham before feeding his centre Kevin Neighbour.

Then a brilliantly judged kick from Russell was bounced and juggled by Kain before touching down. Another smart kick saw Stewart Sanderson just edge out centre Ben McAlpine for the vital touch with all three converted by the scrum half leaving the Lions out of touch and out of breath.

Swinton toiled away trying to obtain a bonus point, Bruce Johnson’s bullet pass sent in Gareth Hayes to give them false hope but Gateshead in the end cantered to a comfortable result.

GAMEBREAKER: Three Gateshead tries in ten minutes around the hour confirmed Thunder’s superiority.

GAMESTAR: Thunder scrum half Dan Russell. Creative both with hand and boot.