Our News

News

LIONS DEFEATED AT LEAGUE LEADERS

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS 52 SWINTON LIONS 6

 IAN RIGG at Millennium Stadium, Sunday 9 July 2023

Rovers continued their march at the top with seven second half tries that blew away any chances the Lions had despite a promising first half. Rovers playing down the slope in the first half made a good start and had some good early chances, but the Lions defence forced two knock-ons in the first two attacks and then Arama Hau went for the left corner and thought he had scored but there was an obstruction in the build-up. The Lions then had an attack on the Rovers line but there was a knock on in the final ten, but the first clear cut chance that Rovers should have taken was when Logan Astley kicked for the right corner and with Luke Briscoe looking an all-out scorer, he managed top misjudge the bounce of the ball and it rolled dead. Former Lion Chris Hankinson then knocked on in a good position and just after this an incident in the next attack was placed on report with no clear reason why. Rovers took the lead on twenty-seven minutes when Logan Astley set up a try for Hau on the left and Mark Kheirallah converted. Briscoe then knocked on at the kick off giving the Lions some pressure, but they couldn’t take any advantage. They then lost Jake Spedding to a green card and Astley capitalised on this when Astley broke down the right to put in a nice kick inside which bounced just right for Kheirallah to collect and score and add the conversion. Briscoe was then sent to the sin bin for a dangerous challenge on Jayden Hatton and two minutes later McKenzie Yei put a late hit on Jordy Gibson, and he too went to cool his boots. Rovers got a penalty just inside the Lions half in the dying seconds of the half, but Craig Hall sent his kick just wide as the hooter sounded.

The Lions got off to the worse possible start in the second half when a high kick towards their line was dropped by Joey Romeo and Hau collected to race in by the posts with Kheirallah converting. Four minutes later they were in again when fast hands saw Briscoe score in the corner but no conversion for this one, but Briscoe turned provider for the next one setting up Hall and the conversion was good for this one. Lions then had a chance when a chip over the top was collected by Badrock but he was just tackled before releasing the ball to Josh Eaves. Hall then scored a second in the next play when again Astley sent in the centre after a great pass and Kheirallah converted again. Lewis Hall was sent to the sinbin for holding down on sixty-five minutes and from the penalty pressure Connor Jones went over from close range and this again was converted. George Roby and Hau were both sent to the sinbin ten minutes from time for fighting and Rovers capitalised running in two tries both from close range with Gadwin Springer and Thomas Lacans both going in by the posts and Kheirallah converted both taking them past the half century. It was the Lions who finished the stronger forcing two knock-ons in the Rovers own ten in as many sets and from the pressure a good passing movement saw Hatton cross in the left corner and Gibson despite distractions from behind him converted off the touchline, and as the final hooter sounded Mike Butt hacked the ball forward towards the line but Matty Wildie just won the foot race with Eaves to run the ball dead and end the game.

LIONS

26 Joey Romeo

4 Jayden Hatton

3 Jake Spedding

22 Andy Badrock

2 Mike Butt

23 Joe Lowe

7 Jordy Gibson

13 Louis Brogan

30 George Roby

8 Gavin Bennion

34 Matty Foster

16 Gavin Rodden

35 Lewis Hall

Subs (all used)

14 Josh Eaves

10 Kenny Baker

12 Mitch Cox

15 Jordan Case

Try:

Hatton (78)

Goal:

Gibson 1/1

Sinbin:

Hall (65) Holding down

Roby (70) Running in

ROVERS

20 Mark Kheirallah

2 Luke Briscoe

4 Craig Hall

3 Chris Hankinson

5 Gareth Gale

23 Caleb Aekins

33 Logan Astley

17 Gadwin Springer

14 Matty Wildie

10 James Lockwood

31 Arama Hau

12 Elijah Taylor

32 Daniel Smith

Subs (all used)

9 Connor Jones

25 Thomas Lacans

8 Craig Kopczak

27 McKenzie Yei

Tries:

Hau (21,41), Kheirallah (28), Briscoe (45), Hall (48,58), Jones (67), Springer (71), Lacans (74)

Goals:

Kheirallah 8/9; Hall 0/1

Sinbin:

Briscoe (23) Dangerous contact

Yei (34) Late Hit

Hau (70) Fighting

Penalty Count: 10-6

Half-time: 12-0

Referee: Mike Smaill

Attendance: 2845

News

LIONS DOWN HIGH FLYING-EAGLES!

SWINTON LIONS 30 SHEFFIELD EAGLES 22

 IAN RIGG at Heywood Road, Sunday, 2 July

The Lions produced a stunning second half come back to claim the points against the high-flying Eagles.

The visitors got the ball from their own kick off when the Lions failed to control the kick and Brandon Douglas was held up on the second tackle, but they did take the lead a minute later when Tyler Dickinson went over from close range and Cory Aston converted. The Lions hit back on nine minutes when Matty Foster went close and from the play the ball George Roby darted over near the posts and Nick Gregson converted. Eagles came back again a few minutes later when a long pass from former Lion Jack Hansen found Matty Dawson-Jones and he crossed in the corner, but Aston was unable to convert. Lions had a good few minutes with the ball after this and Gav Bennion and Jayden Hatton had chances but ball handling let them down. Mike Butt then levelled the scores when he scored his one hundredth career try, and 99^th for the Lions, in the corner, but Gregson was just short with the conversion. Again, Eagles hit back quickly, and this time Anthony Thackeray went through a huge gap to score by the posts and Aston converted. Lions substitute Jordan Case was sent to the sin bin for a late shot and from the penalty they got into a good position and Dawson-Jones claimed his second two minutes from the break and Aston converted to give them a twelve-point advantage at the break.

Kris Welham was held up in the opening minutes of the half, but it was the Lions who scored next when Gregson dummied his way over by the posts, but somehow missed the conversion. The Lions were the better side in the second half and continued to put pressure on the Eagles and Dickinson was sent to the sin bin on sixty-seven minutes for a late shot on Gregson and the Lions put more pressure on the line and Kenny Baker was then hit high and from the pressure Roby was held up. It was Roby who put the Lions within two points when he collected a short kick to score under the posts and Jordy Gibson converted. Gibson then added a penalty eight minutes from time for another high tackle in the Eagles ten.

The last four minutes turned the game totally in the Lions favour when Jake Spedding put in a superb tackle on Jones-Bishop after a kick and he forced him over the goal line for a drop out and it was from this that the Lions went over for the winning try when their live wire fullback Joey Romeo went over on the right side and Gibson added the conversion to put them six ahead and all they had to do now was defend the line and the short kick off. The short kick off was handled superbly well and they got up to the Eagles line with seconds remaining on the clock and with the hooter sounding Eagles were penalised for a ball steal and the crowd was already in full celebration when Gibson landed the penalty to give them a memorable victory and a good platform for next week’s trip to Featherstone.

LIONS

26 Joey Romeo

4 Jayden Hatton

3 Jake Spedding

22 Andy Badrock

2 Mike Butt

6 Nick Gregson

7 Jordy Gibson

8 Gav Bennion

30 George Roby

13 Louis Brogan

16 Gav Rodden

34 Matty Foster

35 Lewis Hall

Subs (all used)

14 Josh Eaves

10 Kenny Bakerl

12 Mitch Cox

15 Jordan Case

Tries:

Roby (9,70), Butt (23), Gregson (49), Romeo (76)

Goals:

Gregson 1/3, Gibson 4/4

Sinbin:

Case (36) Late Hit

EAGLES

29 Quentin Laulu-Togag’e

2 Ben Jones-Bishop

3 Kris Welham

23 Bailey Liu

28 Matty Dawson-Jones

32 Corey Aston

19 Jack Hansen

8 Brandon Douglas

9 Vila Halafihi

10 Tyler Dickinson

18 Aaron Murphy

27 Jesse Sene-Lefao

13 Evan Hodgson

Subs (all used)

7 Anthony Thackeray

12 Joel Farrell

24 Oliver Roberts

14 Titus Gwaze

Tries:

Dickinson (9), Dawson-Jones (12, 38), Thackeray (27)

Goals:

Aston ¾

Sinbin:

Dickinson (67) Late hit.

Penalty count: 10-8

Half-time: 10-22

Referee: Liam Rush

Attendance: 1094

News

LIONS v EAGLES – Team News

Swinton Lions v Sheffield Eagles – Heywood Road Stadium, M33 3WB – Sunday 2 July kick-off 3pm

Following the Lions’ tremendous performance last weekend at Widnes Vikings, who we beat for the first time in 25 years, focus now switches to our home Betfred Championship match versus Sheffield Eagles this coming Sunday.

The Lions lost narrowly in our televised game at the Olympic Legacy Park back in April, and were trailing by only 4 points until a last minute breakaway try secured a 16-6 success for the Eagles. Sheffield are certainly flying high this season, and with the added attraction of our former half-back Jack Hansen in the Eagles’ squad, it will be fascinating to see if the Lions can clip their wings and build on last Sunday’s success at Widnes.

Unfortunately, our skipper Rhodri Lloyd, who reached his 250^th career appearance in our last home game, is set to miss out. He reported a problem in training at the AJ Bell Stadium on Thursday night, and will be rested as a precaution. Fortunately, our DR partners St Helens were able to supply Sam Royle as a replacement, who scored a try on his debut at the Summer Bash five weeks ago.

Another welcome returnee to the Lions’ squad is our experienced winger Mike Butt, who hasn’t featured since being injured at York in that Summer Bash encounter with Widnes. Butty needs just two tries to reach 100 for the Lions.

Young half-back Will Roberts, who has made a stunning impact since joining us on DR from St Helens, took a heavy knock at Widnes last week. Although now recovered, the two clubs felt it sensible for him to be rested for the Sheffield game, although he could well turn out in lesser intensity with St Helens Academy. On the plus side, Jordan Gibson is now fit and set to resume in our halves.

Speaking of DR, Ben Davies remains with us for the weekend, and also coming into our squad on DR is Matty Foster. Matty is a 22 years old 5’ 10” second-rower, who has already made his debut for the St Helens first team. George Delaney, however, has understandably been recalled by Saints.

Our full 21 man squad is:-

Dan Abram; Andy Badrock; Kenny Baker; Gavin Bennion; Louis Brogan; Mike Butt; Jordan Case; Mitch Cox; Ben Davies; Josh Eaves; Jamie Ellis; Matty Foster; Jordan Gibson; Nick Gregson; Lewis Hall; Jayden Hatton; George Roby; Gavin Rodden; Joey Romeo; Sam Royle; Jake Spedding.

CHARLIE WALLWORK 

Everyone associated with Swinton Lions was stunned yesterday by the passing of Charlie Wallwork.

As a dedicated “Lion” of many decades, Charlie was well known to virtually all of us. A real gentleman, who was proactively involved with the club as our PA announcer and helping out with fundraising and fun activities such as his famous quizzes, bingo afternoons and children’s Christmas party.

Ahead of kick-off against Sheffield Eagles, we will hold a minute’s silence in tribute to Charlie.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with Charlie’s family and many friends at this sad time.

News

Top Award for Lions’ Tom!

Tom Wood named recipient of Matt King Educational Bursary

The Lions’ very own Tom Wood, together with Dylan Bunting of Widnes Vikings, have been selected as the 2023 beneficiaries of the Matt King Educational Bursary.

The award was introduced last year in memory of former London Broncos Academy player Matt King OBE and is determined in partnership with the RFL, Rugby League Cares and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund, to support inspirational young people in the sport.

Dylan, who is 20 and lives in Runcorn, is the primary beneficiary. He is a voluntary coach for the Widnes Vikings Community Foundation, in addition to playing for the Vikings in the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League, and has been granted funds to assist in his aims of becoming a qualified coach and attending university, and to help achieve his ambition of becoming coach of the Widnes LDSL team.

Tom, who is 24, has been granted a smaller amount to fund the 12 modules of the UKCC Level 3 Certificate for Coaching Rugby League. He already holds a Level 2 Certificate which has allowed him to fulfil coaching roles at Swinton Lions, together with his home-town club Leigh Miners and the England Community Lions Under-16s. He has also performed invaluable volunteer roles with the Swinton Lions Foundation and Leigh Leopards.

Sandy Lindsay MBE, one of the RFL’s Non-Executive Directors who chairs the Bursary award panel, said: “We would like to thank Dylan and Tom for the commitment they have already shown to Rugby League and for the quality of their applications, and congratulate them as worthy recipients of these awards in memory of Matt King OBE.

“Dylan’s application stated that he is already ‘living his dream playing for the club he adores’, Widnes, in the Learning Disability Super League.

“It is clear he has so much passion for Rugby League and determination to achieve his potential. He has created a detailed plan to achieve his ambitious goals, and the Bursary will be released in stages to support his progress.

“For Tom, with impressive coaching pedigree already at such a young age, securing the Level 3 Coaching Certificate would allow him to continue his progress, and to influence more young lives – whether at Swinton Lions or with their Foundation, or with Leigh Miners, or the England Community Lions.

“That is what unites these applications, their potential to make such a positive impact, specific to the sport of Rugby League – and on that basis, I’m sure Matt King would have approved.

“We remain hugely grateful to the private benefactor and lover of Rugby League, whose support allowed us to create this Bursary in Matt’s memory.”

Matt King’s life was transformed in 2004 when he suffered a serious spinal injury on his debut for London Broncos Academy as a 17-year-old, leaving him paralysed from the neck down and unable to breathe independently.

His injury led to the formation of the Rugby League Benevolent Fund, which has since provided critical support to dozens of players and their families.

Matt received the OBE in 2012 for his inspirational response, as he raised huge sums for charity in addition to gaining a First Class law degree and securing a role with the Williams Formula One team.

The Matt King Educational Bursary was created last year, following his death in 2021 at the age of 33.

Nathan Mulhall, a 23-year-old former England Wheelchair international who has cerebral palsy, was the inaugural recipient, having applied for funds to complete his teacher training to allow him to promote the positive impact of playing Rugby League, and especially Wheelchair Rugby League, to pupils at Ryburn Valley High School in Sowerby Bridge.

News

BRILLIANT LIONS WIN AT WIDNES!

WIDNES VIKINGS 18 SWINTON LIONS 25

IAN RIGG at DCBL Stadium, Sunday 25 June 2023

Swinton Lions put in one of their best performances of the season to pull off a stunning victory over the Vikings on their own patch.

The Lions had a good start when George Roby sent a short kick for the line, but it had to be shuffled dead by the Vikings defence and this continued when the Vikings were twice forced to play the ball near their own line after more Lions pressure. Will Roberts put the Lions ahead on fourteen minutes when Nick Gregson was hit late on thirty metres and the penalty sailed between the sticks. Three minutes later they went further ahead when Jamie Ellis put up a high kick which the Vikings defence allowed to bounce and Ben Davies reacted the quickest to collect the ball and feed it to Ellis who dived in at the corner and Roberts converted from the touchline and this was quickly followed by a second try when this time Roby kicked the ball through and Jack Owens fumbled near his line and Roby finished off touching down in the corner and Roberts again converted from the touchline.

The Lions made their first mistake on twenty-seven minutes when they were caught offside, but the Vikings couldn’t capitalise with some pressure on the line and even the short kick was collected by Joey Romeo who cleared his line. Josh Eaves replaced Roby for the Lions and he went close on thirty-six minutes and from the play the ball George Delaney was held up. Vikings had the games first six again two minutes from the break but knocked on at the first tackle. As the half time hooter sounded Roberts attempted a drop goal which came back off a Vikings player and he regathered and then was dropped on by several Vikings defenders and a fight started and Lewis Hatton and Gav Rodden were sent to the sinbin.

Roberts then got the Lions off to the best possible start in the second half when he kicked a forty-twenty and was injured in the process of kicking the ball but from the play the ball Rhodri Lloyd scored this two hundred and fiftieth point for the Lions and Ben Davies converted from the touchline. Four minutes they were in again when Lloyd sent Jayden Hatton over in the corner but Davies could not convert from the touchline. Vikings then had some pressure on the line, but great defence kept them out.

Jake Spedding made a super try saving tackle on Ryan Millar before Ant Walker went over from short range and Tom Gilmore converted. Olly Davies added the Vikings second on seventy minutes from a short pass from Walker and Gilmore drop kicked the conversion. Jamie Ellis used his vast experience to put over a drop goal with seven minutes left and the Vikings scored a consolation try with two minutes left when Adam Lawton went over from very close range with Gilmore again converting. Andy Badrock almost scored a long-range effort in the closing seconds, but the Vikings defence held out.

LIONS

26 Joey Romeo

4 Jayden Hatton

3 Jake Spedding

nn Ben Davies

22 Andy Badrock

31 Will Roberts

36 Jamie Ellis

8 Gav Bennion

30 George Roby

13 Louis Brogan

11 Rhodri Lloyd

16 Gav Rodden

6 Nick Gregson

Subs (all used)

14 Josh Eaves

35 Lewis Hall

34 George Delaney

10 Kenny Baker

Tries: Ellis (17), Roby (20), Lloyd (42), Hatton (46)

Goals: Roberts 3/3, Davies 1/2

Drop Goal: Ellis

VIKINGS

1 Jack Owens

28 Ryan Millar

26 Max Roberts

29 Zach Eckersley

5 Kieran Dixon

18 Joe Lyons

7 Tom Gilmore

27 Ant Walker

14 Jordan Johnstone

19 Olly Davies

30 Jake Jones

11 Sam Wilde

22 Aaron Brown

Subs (all used)

9 Matty Fozard

12 Adam Lawton

21 Lewis Hatton

17 Shane Grady

Tries: Walker (62), Davies (70), Lawton (78)

Goals: Gilmore 3/3

Sinbin: Hatton (40) Fighting

Penalties: 9-5

Half-time:  0-14

Referee: Scott Mikalauskas

Attendance:  2,833

News

LIONS FOUNDATION – A BEACON OF INCLUSIVITY!

LIONS DELIVERING GROUND BREAKING INCLUSIVITY PROJECTS

We are delighted to announce that the Lions’ Foundation has partnered with the national inclusion charity, Access Sport, and the Rugby Football League, to pilot a pan-disability Rugby League offer, called “TRYZ”.

The project, which launched last week with a disability awareness course provided by Access Sport, will first be delivered in four Greater Manchester Special Educational Needs Schools. This will then be followed by community opportunities at the George H Carnall Leisure Centre at Urmston in Trafford.

The Lions’ Director of Development, Damian Ridpath, said, “We are delighted to be the first club and foundation in the North West to launch this initiative. Our track record with inclusive activity is very strong and this type of offer will not only provide pathways for our fully inclusive programme and teams within Learning Disability Rugby League (LDRL), Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) and Wheelchair Rugby League (WRL), but it will also provide positive activities for those people and their families who don’t want to take part in a formal sporting activity.

 “Sadly, research reveals that 77% of those people with a disability still experience barriers to participation, but the Lions’ Foundation aims to help remove those barriers by providing this much needed provision in Greater Manchester.

 “I would like to thank Sarah Jones of Access Sport for the delivery of the training workshop which was excellent, and I would also like to thank BeActive Urmston for the complimentary use of the George H Carnall Leisure Centre, which of course enables the programme to take place.

 “In addition to this project, the Lions Foundation also organised and delivered the first Rugby League activity specifically for young people with a hearing impairment, at the Manchester Regional Arena last week, when around 100 young people aged 5 to 11 took part and learned great things about the Lions and the sport of Rugby League!

 “Needless to say we are very proud at the Lions of our ground breaking work in making both our own club and the sport in general beacons of inclusivity.”

News

LIONS’ SLOW START COSTS DEARLY

SWINTON LIONS 6 BATLEY BULLDOGS 48

IAN RIGG at Heywood Road, Sunday 18 June 2023

A strong first half performance laid the platform for the Bulldogs to claim an eight-try victory over the Lions who were looking for their first double of the season having won on the opening day. James Meadows put his side ahead in the second minute scoring on the right off a Lions error at the play the ball and he converted it too. Five minutes later they were in again when Meadows fed the supporting Kieran Buchanan who raced in by the posts and Meadows converted again. It got even worse for the Lions quickly afterwards when old boy James Brown scored by the posts and the conversion was good. The Lions defence was being torn to shreds by the speed of the Bulldogs attack and Josh Hodson added the next try after Dale Morton rose to knock back a kick for the supporting centre and again Meadows converted. Buchanan was then held up short and on twenty-seven minutes a long pass from Meadows again found Morton to score in the corner and he also added the conversion. The Lions were getting little on the way of attack and a rare chance came seven minutes from the break when George Roby put in a short kick for the supporting Jayden Hatton, but it ran dead, and with a couple of minutes to go to the break Adam Gledhill crashed over by the posts and Meadows slotted the simple conversion.

The Lions game out for the second half with the words of Connor Farrell & Tom Wood ringing in their ears and within three minutes they were over the line for a try created by Will Roberts and Roby which saw Louis Brogan score under the posts and Nick Gregson convert. Roberts made a thirty-metre break soon afterwards but ran out of support and had to take the tackle. Brogan was then held up over the line after more good work by Roberts. Andy Badrock had a chance on forty-nine minutes from a Jamie Ellis kick, but Meadows had to shuffle it dead. Bulldogs were then awarded a penalty for a scrum offence on fifty-six minutes and the elected to kick for goal, but Meadows was off target this time. The Lions managed to force two goal line dropouts as they continued to press the Bulldogs defences, but it was the visitors who went further ahead against the run of play and Dane Manning crossed on the left with Meadows again on target with the boot. Jake Spedding had a good chance five minutes from time after a good passing movement, but he could not hold the final pass down the right and the Bulldogs finished it off in the dying seconds when a good break down the right found the supporting Keegan Hirst and he went in by the right of the posts and Meadows added the final points of the day as the hooter sounded.

LIONS

1 Dan Abram

4 Jayden Hatton

22 Andy Badrock

11 Rhodri Lloyd

3 Jake Spedding

31 Will Roberts

36 Jamie Ellis

8 Gav Bennion

14 Josh Eaves

34 Lewis Baxter

16 Gav Rodden

10 Kenny Baker

6 Nick Gregson

Subs (all used)

13 Louis Brogan

26 Joey Romeo

30 George Roby

35 Lewis Hall

Try: Brogan (43)

Goal: Gregson 1/1

BULLDOGS

21 Aidan McGowan

22 Dale Morton

4 Josh Hodson

18 George Senior

15 Elliot Kear

14 James Meadows

7 Josh Woods

13 James Brown

17 Luke Blake

30 Martyn Reilly

11 Dane Manning

3 Kieran Buchanan

6 Ben White

Subs (all used)

8 Adam Gledhill

10 Keegan Hirst

16 Michael Ward

26 Nyle Flynn

Tries: Meadows (2), Buchanan (7), Brown (13), Hodson (17), Morton (27), Gledhill (35), Manning (71), Hirst (80)

Goals: Meadows 8/9

Penalties:  4-7

Half-time: 0-36

Referee: Mike Smaill

Attendance: 1,009

News

LIONS DISAPPOINT IN GAME OF TWO HALVES

SWINTON LIONS 8 HALIFAX PANTHERS 46

IAN RIGG at Heywood Road, Sunday 11 June 2023

A seven try second half performance from the Panthers ended any chance of a fight back despite a tight first half. Flying winger Lachlan Walmsley ended the game with a four try haul finishing off good work by his attack and scoring one from long range. Ben Tibbs opened the scoring for his side on four minutes finishing off a good move down the left, but Louis Jouffret could not convert. The Lions hit back on twenty minutes when Louis Brogan and Nick Gregson combined to send Josh Eaves in by the posts and Dan Abram converted. Walmsley scored his first five minutes later when the Panthers were awarded two set restarts and he finished off in the left corner with Jouffret off target again. Both sides traded attacks for ten minutes, but good tackles and poor ball handling stopped anyone from scoring until the Lions were awarded a penalty on forty metres for an off the ball tackle and Abram slotted it over to level the scores and as the half time hooter sounded the Panthers were on the attack near the posts, but the hooter sounded at the right time for the Lions.

Adam Tangata put his side back in the lead in the opening minute of the second half when Lions fullback Andy Badrock got an awkward bounce of the ball, and it ran away from him for Tangata to score by the posts with the conversion added by Jouffret. Walmsley then added his second when Tangata strode through a large gap to feed his supporting winger to score on the left but no conversion. Zack McComb was sent to the sinbin on fifty minutes for alleged dangerous contact in the tackle and then the Lions had a good chance down the right when Jake Spedding broke free down the right, but the ball seemed to hit his knee as he was running, and it went to ground. Walmsley scored his third on fifty-eight minutes after a good pass from Tibbs and this was quickly followed two minutes later when Kyle Wood sent out a super pass to Ben Kavanagh and he raced in by the posts. Panthers were now on a roll, and they scored two more tries in another two minute period when Walmsley scored number for racing a full eight metres from a Lions ball handling mistake to score under the posts and then Jouffret broke free to send the supporting James Woodburn-Hall in on the right and three of the last four tries were converted. The Lions tried a short kick off from the fourth try and got close to the line before losing the ball and this put Panthers in a good position to score the final try when Brandon Moore scored to the left of the posts and Jouffret added the simple conversion and in the final minute Panthers prop Dan Fleming was sent to the sin bin for an illegal tackle on Jayden Hatton.

MATCHFACTS

LIONS

22 Andy Badrock

26 Joey Romeo

3 Jake Spedding

32 Wes Bruines

4 Jayden Hatton

1 Dan Abram

7 Jordy Gibson

8 Gav Bennion

14 Josh Eaves

13 Louis Brogan

11 Rhodri Lloyd

10 Kenny Baker

6 Nick Gregson

Subs (all used)

12 Mitch Cox

15 Jordan Case

30 George Roby

34 Lewis Baxter

Try: Eaves (20)

Goals: Abram 2/2

PANTHERS

1 James Woodburn-Hall

5 James Saltonstall

3 Zack McComb

4 Ben Tibbs

2 Lachlan Walmsley

6 Louis Jouffret

14 Kyle Wood

16 Will Calcott

9 Brandon Moore

10 Dan Murray

11 Ben Kavanagh

12 Matty Gee

31 Kevin Larroyer

Subs (all used)

8 Adam Tangata

19 Ryan Lannon

29 Dan Fleming

34 Adam O’Brien

Tries: Tibbs (5), Walmsley (25,46,58,63), Tangata (41), Kavanagh (60), Woodburn-Hall (66), Moore (71).

Goals: Jouffret 5/9

Sinbin: McComb (50) Dangerous Contact; Fleming (79) High Tackle

Penalty count: 10-6

Half-time: 8-8

Referee: Matt Rossleigh

Attendance: 1109

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4,6-4,6-8,8-8,8-14,8-18,8-24,8-30,8-36,8-40,8-46

News

LIONS LEAD ON QUALITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

LIONS LEAD ON QUALITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The Lions Talent Pathway programme, under the guidance of the Swinton Lions Foundation, continues to go from strength to strength!

Now in its third season of operation, over 200 young players, both boys and girls, have attended our development sessions.

These sessions, which take place on the last Wednesday of the month at Wythenshawe Sports Ground, are of the highest quality and are led by Swinton Lions’ Head of Youth Development, Dougie Owen, along with his team of coaches.

The Lions’ Director of Community Development, Damian Ridpath, explained, “These sessions are really well attended with an average of 75 players signing up every month. The quality of the delivery is also superb and highly professional, and we can visibly observe the improvements in the young players who attend regularly.

“We are also in the process of developing a delivery system which is unique to Rugby League, which will see an enhanced player experience with clear measurable outcomes for each individual player who attends. In addition, we are trialling an under 18s programme which gives those young players who have either just been overlooked by RL academies, or who don’t want to go into a full-time environment, the opportunity to showcase and enhance their skills. The feedback we have received from young players and parents alike has been outstanding!”