Having shown glimpses of their potential in recent weeks, Hornets sparked their season into life with an almost perfect performance that had Swinton chasing shadows and the game in the bag by half time.

Sensational handling, fantastic support play and pace that the Lions simply couldn't handle saw Darren Shaw's men go in 38-4 up at the break and the vociferous visiting supporters in buoyant mood.

Hornets were out of the blocks immediately. Hornets regaining their kick-off possession, good forward play taking the ball close to the Lions' line and Todd O'Brien ducking in from close range.

Five minutes later, good interpassing saw Sam Butterworth jink free up the left. With defenders gathering, he dinked the ball onto his foot and Chris Campbell's pace did the rest for the first of his hat-trck.

Swinton rallied briefly with a well taken try by Hawkyard after 18 minutes, but Hornets hit the afterburners and killed the game stone dead with four superb tries in ten minutes.

The introduction of Janan Billings was a turbo-boost to an already rampant Hornets, his second touch of the ball saw him blast through a static home defence; and his scoots from acting half had the Lions backpeddaling all afternoon.

Next, a good bust by Ian Sinfield had Carl Sneyd in support, and he shipped the ball top Alex Brown who out-paced and out muscled the defence for a great try.

Chris Campbell's second on the half hour had the hint of the cheeky about it. Dave Cunliffe's first man run was halted prematurely by the pedantic whistle of Msr Halibert, and as Swinton picked up the next forward runner - only for Janan Billings to tap the ball to himself and sip the ball to an unmarked Campbell on the flank for a walk-in.

Hornets continued with another sweeping move as Paul Alcock's huge break found Martin Ainscough in support to sprint home. And Ainscough grabbed his second on the hooter as Swinton defenders lost track of the ball in their in-goal and he pounced to touch down.

Swnton clearly had the hard word from coach Paul Kidd at half time and emerged for the second half a somewhat sterner proposition. With Moana. Hakyard and McGovern upping their workrate, the home side looked in better shape, but when Lions prop Tyrer went down with a double leg fracture after 55 minutes leading to a five minute stoppage, it was Hornets who composed themselves quickest with three tries in ten minutes.

On the hour a stepping break by Sam Butterworth sent in Chris Campbell for his third; then Ainscough found Butterworth who sprinted in for a deserved try.

Sam Butterworth was involved again on 65 minutes as he took a neat pass from Paul Alcock, drew the cover and sent the impressive Eric Andrews in by the posts.

At 56-4, it looked forlorn for Swinton: but a late rally (and Hornets having racked the cue) saw Moana, Rigby and Wood grab consolation tries to give the scoreline a veneer of respectability.

But this was Hornets' day. A first half that saw Hornets concede one penalty and complete every set bar two laid the foundation for a quite sublime 40 minutes. The high tempo, fluid football was a treat to watch - and the second half defence that saw Hornets withstand four consecutive sets on their own line was equally pleasing.

Three late tries maybe took some of the gloss off the performance, but it'd be churlish to complain.

If - as Darren Shaw suggests - there's still some improvement in this team, it'll be a very interesting second half of the season.