Despite playing under the handicap of three sin-binnings, Swinton kept their shape and used the ground’s huge dimensions far more smartly than a Hornets side that failed to splutter, never mind spark.

The first 25 minutes were an arm-wrestle: both teams content to plough the centre of the field in search of an opening. John Braddish went close for Hornets on 22 minutes, but was held up over the line; in the ensuing post-mortem Ian Watson let his mouth off and was dispatched for a ten minute cool-down.

His absence sparked Swinton to life and in their next foray Marsh and Sinfield shipped the ball neatly wide for Maye to score. The game reverted to type, with Hornets withstanding three back-to-back sets as Swinton pinned them down in their own in-goal with a series of well-balanced kicks.

With half-time looming, Hornets managed their only semblance of cohesive football of the afternoon: Doran’s break; Cantillon in support to score; Birdseye adding the extras. Right on the hooter, Maye was sin-binned for dissent; Birdseye popped over the penalty and Hornets went in two points ahead 6-8.

With the wind and the slight slope in the second half, Hornets fans expected some improvement - but the Lions grabbed the game by the scruff and took control.

Again, a barrage of kicks into the in-goal prevented Hornets from gaining any meaningful ground and, on 55 minutes, Swinton returned a resulting drop-out with interest. The ball was worked downfield; Watson’s pin-point flat pass found Marsh arriving at pace and he crashed through to score.

On the hour, Swinton delivered a killer blow. With Hornets struggling to get out of their own half, Coates found a huge hole in their defensive line and - with men either side - found himself with just Alstead to beat. Wayne English was the recipient and he planted the ball under the black dot.

Hornets did, briefly, flicker into life: Cantillon taking the ball to the Swinton line and Campbell scoring wide out (Birdseye adding a superb conversion) - but the two point deficit was as close as they got.

With four minutes remaining, Watson and Marsh worked a carbon copy of their earlier effort; Hornets defence fell for it again and Swinton deservedly took the spoils.

Despite some last minute bull and bluster in a desperate scramble for a point, Hornets were never really in the hunt in the second half - and Bobbie Goulding will need a combination of harsh words and hard work if we are to better this effort.

“They were smarter and more enthusiastic than us,” said Goulding. And Hornets supporters might have been justified in wondering where Hornets’ trademark enthusiasm had gone on this half-hearted and disappointing afternoon.