THE Rams consolidated second place in the league with a hard fought victory over fourth-placed Lions, but the home fans saw a little piece of history being made when Lee Marsh broke Swinton's points-in-a-season record.

It had been held by the great Albert Blan, who scored 283 points in the 1960-61 season. But Marsh now has 286, with at least one more game to play this season next Sunday's play-of fixture against Hunslet, kick-off 3pm.

It was always going to be a close game, as the Rams needed the win to secure the higher place and the Lions were looking for a revenge for their heavy defeat at the Ram Stadium in the second game of the season. But it was Andy Kelly's men who just shaded it.

"I was pleased with our performance against one for the division's form teams," said Lions' head coach, Paul Kidd.

"The defensive effort was there again and it was nice to see Lee gain a little piece of Lions' history. Now we can move on to next week and prepare the guys for the play-off game against the Hawks."

Both sides had early chances as the defences were tested and Chris Hall made a good break for the Rams only to be thwarted by Wayne English as he approached the tryline. Danny Heaton went close for the Lions but knocked on near the Line.

Richard Chapman looked all on a scorer in the 11th minute, but a super tackle by English just stopped him inches short of the line.

Rams' second row man Ged Corcoran was placed on report three minutes later for an alledged use of the elbow and Marsh put his penalty attempt wide of the posts.

English had a try disallowed when he knocked on over the line and then Darren Rogers did likewise for the Rams a couple of minutes later.

Chapman was sent to the sin bin in the 27th minute for obstruction on English, and from the resulting pressure Marsh got over the try line but lost the ball as he went to ground it.

The Rams took the lead nine minutes from the break when Rogers intercepted a Phil Joseph pass to score on the right, but Francis Maloney could not convert. He then kicked a 40/20 and from the scrum Dave Llewllyn dumped Hall into touch as he went for the try line.

However, the Lions snatched the lead on the stroke of half time when Marsh chipped the Rams' defence and regathered to score by the posts before adding the conversion.

The Lions went further ahead four minutes into the second half.

Marsh again dummied the Rams' defence to score under the posts and add the goal which gave him the new Lions record.

But the Rams bounced back.

Richard Chapman raced in for the second try on 52 minutes and Maloney added the goal to put the Rams only two points behind.

Chapman then ran in his second try six minutes later, when Hall made a super break downfield and the hooker dived over by the posts, with David Mycoe converting.

It got worse for the Lions from the re-start.

Marsh's kick-off went straight to Richard Tillotson and he broke down the left wing to set up Jon Lee Lockwood to barge over under the posts, with Mycoe again converting to put the Rams in command.

The Lions hit back again 14 minutes from time.

Ian Parry burst three tackles to score under the posts and Marsh added the goal points.

They could have snatched it four minutes later when Marsh again went for the line, but lost control at close range and the Rams held out for victory.

Lions: English, Oldham, Patterson, Llewellyn, Billy, Marsh, Watson, Whittaker, Crabtree, Rogers, Heaton, Smith, Joseph. Subs (all used): Coates, Farrimond, Sinfield, Parry

NATIONAL LEAGUE TWO

P W D L F A Diff Pts

York 18 15 0 3 683 356 327 30

Dewsbury 18 13 1 4 526 350 176 27

Workington 18 13 1 4 507 442 65 27

Swinton 18 11 0 7 623 434 189 22

Hunslet 18 11 0 7 475 385 90 22

Gateshead 18 8 1 9 516 508 8 17

Sheffield 18 8 0 10 414 529 -115 16

Keighley 18 4 1 13 359 470 -111 9

Blackpool 18 3 0 15 356 623 -267 6

London Skol. 18 2 0 16 258 620 -362 4

Ian Rigg