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Lions jointly host ground-breaking initiative!

Swinton Lions Foundation and Manchester Rugby Coaching Partnership join forces

Yesterday Swinton Lions Foundation and Manchester Rugby Coaching proudly joint-hosted the Manchester Schools 9-a-side Rugby League Tournament at Wright Robinson Sports College in Gorton.

An incredible 90 players from 5 schools at year 9 level were represented in what was the first event of its kind facilitated by our new community partnership.

The event was played out on a round-robin basis, and then a Grand Final was contested between the top two ranking schools, Wright Robinson and Hollingworth. The hosts were the proud winners of the tournament, and were presented with the cup by Wigan Warriors and England player Vicky Molyneux.

The event was also attended by the RFL’s Jonathan Dowler who was greatly impressed by the talent and skills on show.

Damian Ridpath of the Lions’ Foundation said, “This event was excellent and a great piece of collaborative work between Manchester Rugby Coaching and the Lions Foundation. Chris Honor organised all the matches and co-ordinated the volunteer referees superbly, whilst I was able to speak to all the teams and teachers separately about our vision for developing all types of Rugby League within Greater Manchester in the future, and how we can support with developing schools and tournaments in the sport.

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Wakefield Trinity Women 4 Swinton Lionesses 52

Alan Dixon at Be Well Support Stadium

Swinton Lionesses got their first win of the season with a well earned victory at Wakefield. Martina gave debuts to Maddi Higginson and Caitlin Miles who both played their part in this victory.

Swinton got off to a bright start with their first possession of the game when Maddie Higson broke through the Wakefield defence but was tackled into touch after a 40 metre run. From the handover, Zoey Langley Broke through the Lionesses defence and the ball was moved out to Toni Nicholson to score in the corner. Georgia Lever missed the conversion and Wakefield led 4-0 after 3 minutes. A penalty for offside after 10 minutes gave the Lionesses possession of the ball. They moved the ball across the field to Mia Atherton who cut back inside to score under the posts. Georgia Cunliffe converted for a 6-4 lead.

Twelve minutes later the Lionesses won a scrum on the Wakefield 40 metre line. After a couple of drives down the middle, the ball was moved out to Izzy Birds to score in the corner. Georgia Cunliffe missed the conversion.  Swinton kept up the pressure on the Wakefield line. After a penalty for offside, Holly Grimes drove her way through the Wakefield defence to score from close range. Georgia Cunliffe added the conversion and the Lionesses led 16-4 after 31 minutes. The Lionesses were back on the attack right from the restart. Good runs by Maddie Higson and Maddi Higginson got the Lionesses to within 20 metres of the Wakefield line. The ball was moved out to Rebecca Roden who cut inside to score. Georgia Cunliffe converted to give the Lionesses a 22-4 lead at half time.

Wakefield kicked off the second half. The ball went straight to Eve Ashcroft who ran around the outside of the Wakefield defence before cutting inside the full back to score a 70 metre try under the posts. Georgia Cunliffe added the conversion for a 28-4 lead. From the restart, the Lionesses moved the ball out to Maddi Higginson who broke down the wing before being tackled in the Wakefield half. After a good run by Emily Haley, the ball found its way back to Maddi Higginson to score out wide on her debut. Georgia Cunliffe was unable to add the extras. The Lionesses were back on the attack again after 53 minutes. After consecutive penalties for high tackle on Leah Christian and Chloe Birkett, the ball was moved out to Sophie Sykes to score out wide. A superb conversion by Georgia Cunliffe made it 38-4. From the restart, Ellie Thirkell went on a 40 metre run to set up a try for Mia Atherton. Georgia Cunliffe added the conversion.

More pressure on the Wakefield line ended with Holly Grimes forcing her way over. The referee deemed her to be held up. From the hand over, Wakefield knocked on. From the scrum, Eve Ashcroft fed the ball to Chloe Birkett to score. Georgia Cunliffe missed the conversion and the Lionesses now led 48-4. The Lionesses were penalised for a high tackle after 72 minutes. The ball was moved out to Bethany Cain who went over the line near the posts. The referee disallowed the try and gave a penalty to the Lionesses for back chatting. The final score of the game after 75 minutes. The Lionesses moved the ball out to Libby Curran who cut through the Wakefield defence to score in the corner. Georgia Cunliffe couldn’t add the conversion.

Teams :

Wakefield Trinity : Hebe Forbes, Holly Spurr, Katie Evans, Georgia Lever, Toni Nicholson, Bethany Cain, Jessica Flintoff, Ellie Sykes, Bethany Pinto, Zoey Langley, Ebony Hardcastle, Rochelle Liddle, Ruby Lockwood. SUBS : Emily-Jo Brown, Libby Morris, Mary Tetley, Holly Whitaker, Poppy Appleyard, Sian Spence-Boocock, Hailey Portrey

Try : Nicholson (3)

Swinton Lionesses : Maddie Higson, Izzy Birds, Mia Atherton, Libby Curran, Elizabeth Davies, Georgia Cunliffe, Ellie Thirkell, Leah Christian, Eve Ashcroft, Abbie Parkes-Holden, Chloe Birkett, Sophie Sykes, Emily Haley. SUBS : Maddi Higginson, Holly Grimes, Catherine Sweeney, Rebecca Roden, Caitlin Miles, Maddie Trickett

Tries : Atherton (10, 57), Birds (22), Grimes (31), Roden (35), Ashcroft (41), Higginson (45), Sykes (53), Birkett (64), Curran (75)

Goals : Cunliffe 6

Pens : 1-6                 

Half Time : 4-22

News

Club statement regarding IMG vote

SWINTON LIONS RLFC – Statement regarding the Special General Meeting IMG vote

Yesterday clubs voted overwhelmingly in support of the RFL and IMG recommendations regarding the future direction of travel of the sport under a new grading system.

At Swinton Lions we also voted in favour of the proposal, which represented the unanimous decision of the Board.

Over the past few weeks our Board has given comprehensive consideration to the IMG plan and its likely impact on the Swinton Lions club itself, as well as the wider game. Our efforts to fully understand the finer detail included a club specific in-depth meeting with the RFL at their new Etihad Campus HQ.

The desire to drive standards forward across the sport was critical to our thought process, as was the fact that contrary to some reports we do not believe there will be a top table lock-out. On the contrary there will be a clear pathway forward for ambitious clubs, and one we believe with greater financial security than under the current promotion and relegation system at Super League level.

We accept that the ball is now very much within our own hands, and in the hands of our friends and competitors at other clubs. At Swinton Lions we could otherwise run the risk of standing still or potentially regressing as a club in an ever more challenging landscape. Instead we look forward to driving our business forward and embracing the potential opportunities provided by the new grading system, particularly by exploiting our advantageous geographical location within a huge city conurbation.

Inevitably we will need to be ambitious and progressive, and partly to this end we will shortly be announcing the appointment of additional new Board members with appropriate skill sets, and who share in our aim to play a significant participant role in the future of rugby league football. We are therefore already in the process of filling key gaps in our business, to compliment some of the fantastic work that has taken place over the past two years. Namely our recent promotion and the fielding of a competitive team at Championship level, together with our wonderful off-field work, including the launch of our women’s team the Lionesses, the impending launch of a wheelchair team, and the incredible participant numbers that our now progressing through the various projects being undertaken by the Lions’ Foundation all across Greater Manchester.

We have wonderful sponsors and strategic partners, as well as the most loyal of a core support base. We are incredibly appreciative of our team of volunteers, and specific fan initiatives such as Pridebuilder and the Supporters’ Trust. We are also in the process of identifying and engaging with new strategic and commercial partners. Yet despite these efforts, unfortunately we are not currently achieving the required supporter numbers and commercial income which will enable us to invest further in our infrastructure and playing strength.

Every day brings a fresh major challenge, and we accept that the grading system alone will not in itself realise the sport’s ambitions overnight. However, all clubs are now charged to improve standards without delay and help drive those commercial rewards in which teams in all three divisions have a vested and shared interest. We look forward to sharing more detail with our supporters in due course.

News

SHEFFIELD EAGLES 16 SWINTON LIONS 6

Ian Rigg at Olympic Legacy Park

A great defensive effort by the Lions almost produced victory against high flying Eagles on their own patch in front of the television cameras. Jordy Gibson thought he had put his side ahead in seventh minute when he claimed the try but the official said he was held up but with no video referee the on-field referee had all the calls. Eagles took the lead on fifteen minutes when QLT scored on the right through an overlap but the conversion attempt from Cory Aston struck the posts and bounced away. Five minutes later they were in again when Aston escaped a missed tackle to crash in by the posts and he also added the simple conversion. Gibson then was held up again after Jake Spedding intercepted a pass near his own line, but the Eagles defence held out and the homeside were having chances too but some great defence from the Lions also held them out.

The Lions hit back on fifty minutes when Gav Rodden charged down an Eagles kick around about halfway and he collected the ball to race away and score under the posts with Dan Abram adding the conversion. From this point on the Lions had the better of the play as they tried to get a decisive score and Jordan Case was held up on sixty-four minutes and then four minutes later Liam Cooper was also held up but had to leave the field with an arm injury. Eagles had a rare chance with ten minutes left when Aston broke but his final pass to Liam Kirk went to ground with the line open twenty metres out. With five minutes later Abram thought he had scored when Matty Chrimes was tackled near his own line and as he played the ball Abram dived on it but he was judged offside by the referee and even the commentary team on the television thought he had scored but it wasn’t to be. The Lions were continuing to press the Eagles line trying to get their reward but with two minutes left Jesse Sene Lefao stole the ball one on one in the tackle and this set up Kris Welham who sent Ben Jones Bishop away to clinch victory under the posts and Aston converted and the hooter sounded shortly afterwards.

Team:

Abram, Romeo, Lloyd, Badrock, Spedding, Olds, Gibson, Cooper, Eaves, Case, Baker, Rodden, Gregson.  SUBS: Roby, Parnaby (NU), Brogan, Hall

Penalties: 5-10, Half-time: 10-0, Attendance: 1179

News

Oulton Raidettes 40 Swinton Lionesses 18

Alan Dixon at Raider Park

Injuries throughout the game meant the Lionesses  never had a settled team during the game.  Some played out of position and others played on with their knocks.

Oulton were pressurising the Lionesses line and looked certain to score after 6 minutes when the ball was moved out to Grace Short, but a superb tackle by Chloe Birkett took her into touch just short of the line. The Lionesses broke out of defence a minute later. The ball was moved out to Izzy Birds who broke down the wing but, she was tackled into touch 20 metres from the line. The Lionesses got the ball back after 11 minutes. Good work from Ellie Thirkell and Libby Curran got the Lionesses deep into the Oulton half, and when the ball found Maddie Higson, she broke clear to score. Georgia Cunliffe added the goal for a 6-0 lead. From the kick off, Ellie Thirkell ran across the field and passed to Mia Atherton who broke through the Oulton defence to put the Lionesses back on the attack. The moved ended with Leah Christian being tackled 10 metres short of the line. The Lionesses conceded a couple of penalties which put Oulton back on the attack. Kaitlyn-Jade Wilkinson barged her way over the line but, was held up. Oulton were not to be denied and from the restart, the ball whose switched to Maddison Hirst who side stepped her way over to score. Lisa Taylor missed the conversion and the Lionesses led 6-4.

Straight from the restart Oulton moved the ball downfield and Emily Fitzpatrick scored next to the posts. Lisa Taylor added the conversion and Oulton led 10-6. Again from the restart Oulton broke through the Lionesses defence. Emily Fitzpatrick had a clear run to the line but she was tackled short by Chloe Birkett. A quick play the ball resulted in a knock on. The Lionesses lost possession of the ball after 27 minutes. Oulton moved the ball out wide and Honey Oxtoby scored in the corner. Lisa Taylor missed the conversion. The restart went straight to Lisa Taylor who broke through the Lionesses defence and passed the ball to Hannah Hill to score. Again Lisa Taylor missed the conversion and Oulton now led 18-6. The Lionesses regained possession with a scrum on their 10 metre line. A bad pass by Eve Ashcroft allowed Oulton to recover the ball and Ellie Johnson scored in the corner. Lisa Taylor hit the post with the conversion attempt and Oulton led 22-6 at the break.

A series of penalties allowed the Lionesses to pressurise the Oulton line, but it ended in a knock on. Oulton moved the ball downfield and Grace Short crossed the line to score. The referee disallowed the try for obstruction. The Lionesses scored in the 54th minute. A series of penalties allowed them to get the ball downfield and Libby Curran scored next to the posts. Georgia Cunliffe kicked the conversion and Oulton now led 22-12. Five minutes later Oulton recovered possession of the ball and Emily Fitzpatrick scored. Lisa Taylor added the extras for a 28-12 lead.

The restart went straight to Maddison Hirst who went on a charging run. A big hit by Chloe Birkett stopped her in her tracks. It didn’t stop Oulton from scoring in the remainder of the set as Danielle Rose scored and Lisa Taylor added the extras to extend the lead to 34-12. Again the Lionesses defence was breached from the restart as Lisa Taylor went over to score. This time the referee disallowed it for a forward pass. Swinton were penalised in the 70th minute which allowed Oulton to get close to the Lionesses line. Leah McFarlane darted over to score from dummy half. Lisa Taylor added the extras for a 40-12 lead. The Lionesses recovered an Oulton knock on with 3 minutes left. The ball was moved out to Holly Grimes who forced her way over under the posts. Georgia Taylor added the conversion.

Teams:

Oulton Raidettes : Danielle Rose, Honey Oxtoby, Ellie Johnson, Lisa Taylor, Grace Short, Hannah Hill, Keira Gittins, Maddison Hirst, Leah McFarlane, Kaitlyn-Jade Wilkinson, Vanessa Harriman, Alice Abbiss, Emily Fitzpatrick. SUBS : Ellie-Mae Wainhouse, Abigail Birtwhistle, Chelsea Senior, Darcy Westwood, Sophie Oram

Tries : Hirst (19), Fitzpatrick (22, 59), Oxtoby (27), Hill (31), Johnson (36), Rose (62), McFarlane (70)

Goals : Taylor 4

Swinton Lionesses : Maddie Higson, Izzy Birds, Mia Atherton, Libby Curran, Elizabeth Davies, Georgia Cunliffe, Ellie Thirkell, Holly Grimes, Eve Ashcroft, Leah Christian, Chloe Birkett, Helena Ryan, Emily Haley. SUBS : Sophie Sykes, Abbie Parkes-Holden, Pebbles Whailing-Mills, Rebecca Roden

Tries : Higson (11), Curran (54), Grimes (77)

Goals : Cunliffe 3

Pens : 4-6                  Half Time : 22-6

News

ROBY RETURNS TO THE LIONS!

ROBY RETURNS TO THE LIONS!

At Swinton Lions we are delighted to announce the loan signing of George Roby for the remainder of the 2023 Championship season!

George was of course with us on loan from Huddersfield Giants during our 2022 promotion winning season, scoring 10 tries in 10 Swinton appearances. His impact was such that despite an injury which kept him out of the latter stages of the campaign, he went on to win the League 1 Young Player of the Year Award. In the early part of the current season George has played on loan at Bradford Bulls.

George said, “I’m delighted to be given a second opportunity to come back to Swinton Lions! I want to thank Steve Wild and Allan Coleman for working so hard over the last couple of days to get it sorted, and now it’s time to kick on and help the boys hit some form. I enjoyed every minute of my time last year at Swinton, and for me that’s what it’s all about – enjoying my rugby again. See you all soon Lions fans!”

Swinton Head Coach Allan Coleman added, “It’s great to get George back on a season-long loan. He brings great energy to the team and his form last season with us was terrific and instrumental towards us getting promotion. He’s since been great for Bradford on loan, and has shown that he can compete at this level. We are always looking to strengthen and George’s signing will certainly do that for us. Big shout out to our Board and to Pridebuilder as well for ensuring the deal could be done.”

Lions’ CEO Steve Wild revealed, “George loved his time at Swinton last season, and once we became aware that he might potentially be available again, I contacted Huddersfield Giants and was really pleased that we were able to quickly agree terms in time to make him available for our trip to Sheffield on Monday. I therefore want to thank Richard Thewlis and his colleagues at the Giants for enabling the loan, and I also want to give out a massive thank you to Pridebuilder for their crucial contribution towards the financial costs. Hopefully Pridebuilder members will be delighted to see their generous contributions being utilised to bring in such a proven quality player as George.”

News

MORGAN BURGESS TO LEAVE THE LIONS

MORGAN BURGESS TO LEAVE THE LIONS

Our forward Morgan Burgess, who has played three times this season and was a member of our team that won at Batley, is to leave the club immediately by mutual consent.

The former England Youth International, who was brought from the Barrow area by Warrington Wolves and subsequently saw DR game time at Widnes Vikings, has been on the fringes of the first team at Swinton during his brief time with us.

Head Coach Allan Coleman said, “I want to thank Morgan for his time and efforts at Swinton. He has been so professional in all he has done, and you can easily tell that he’s been brought up in the game through some good environments. I totally understand why he needs time away from rugby league to refocus and concentrate on his career. We have left the door open for the future, and in the meantime we wish Morgan nothing but the best.”

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SWINTON LIONS 16 WIDNES VIKINGS 48

IAN RIGG Heywood Road, Friday

The Vikings brushed away the memory of last week’s cup exit with a nine try display in the Manchester sunshine. The Lions welcomed back three players that had missed the last few weeks with injury and John Kear shuffled his team and bought in the impressive young Wigan centre Zack Eckersley on loan during the week as well as bring some players that missed out last week. Shane Grady had an early chance for the visitors but the final pass to him with the line open was judged forward and then Josh Eaves was tackled just short for the Lions. The first Vikings try came on fourteen minutes when Matty Fozard broke and fed the supporting Jack Owens and he sent the ball on to Matt Fleming who raced in under the posts and Owens converted. Four minutes later they were in again when a high ball was sent to the left side of the Lions defence and it was spilled and collected by Ryan Ince who scored near the corner and again Owens converted. Poor defence accounted for the third try when Danny Craven went round several defenders to score on the left and Owens was on the mark again. Zack Eckersley opened his account a few minutes later showing a great turn of space to score under the posts and this was again converted. The Lions then had the better of the play for the second quarter of the match with James Greenwood and Jayden Hatton both going close before on thirty-one minutes Eaves set up a try for Jordy Gibson to score by the posts and Dan Abram converted. Mike Butt had a good chance five minutes from the break, but great defence stopped him just short of the line and in the final minute of the half Kieran Dixon also had a chance but this time the Lions defence held him out.

The Lions started the second half on the attack after Olly Olds was taken out off the ball by Owens and the pressure eventually told when Eaves caught the Vikings defence knapping to dive over by the posts and Abram again converted but the Vikings stretched their lead when Owens added a penalty goal from in front of the posts. The Vikings then bombed a couple of chances with ball handling errors but on the hour the Lions added their third try when Andy Badrock scored out on the right, but Abram could not convert off the touchline. Eckersley then scored a spectacular long range effort racing seventy-five metres after a Lions ball handing error while attacking the line but Owens could not convert this one. During the build up it seemed that Olds had been bitten in a tackle and this was placed on report by the officials. Adam Lawton was next to score when he scored out on the left but again no conversion. Olds was sent to the sin bin on sixty-nine minutes when he collided with the official whilst trying to make a tackle so off he went to cool his heels and while he was off Lawton crashed over again on the left for another unconverted try. Dixon then made the most of an overlap to race in on the left and again the kick was missed. Eckersley then scored his third when he intercepted a Lions pass near his own line to race full length to score under the posts as the hooter sounded and Owens converted this one.

MATCHFACTS

LIONS

  1 Dan Abram

  2 Mike Butt

22 Andy Badrock

11 Rhodri Lloyd

  4 Jayden Hatton

19 Ollie Olds

  7 Jordy Gibson

18 Liam Cooper

14 Josh Eaves

13 Louis Brogan

12 Mitch Cox

36 James Greenwood

  6 Nick Gregson

Subs (all used)

10 Kenny Baker

15 Jordan Case

16 Gav Rodden

35 Lewis Hall

Tries: Gibson (31), Eaves (43), Badrock (60)

Goals: Abram 2/3

Sinbin: Olds (69) dicent

VIKINGS

  3 Matt Fleming

  2 Ryan Ince

29 Zack Eckersley

20 Joe Edge

  5 Kieran Dixon

  6 Danny Craven

  1 Jack Owens

16 Callum Field

  9 Matty Fozard

10 Kyle Amor

12 Adam Lawton

17 Shane Grady

13 Liam Bent

Subs (all used)

11 Sam Wilde

14 Jordan Johnstone

21 Lewis Hatton

27 Ant Walker

Tries: Fleming (14), Ince (18), Craven (20) Eckersley (22,64,80), Lawton (67,71), Dixon (75)

Goals: Owens 6/10

On Report – Alleged biting incident on Olds (64)

Penalties: 6-4 Half-time: 6-24

Referee: Scott Mikalauskas Attendance: 1403

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6,0-12,0-18,0-24,6-24,12-24,12-26,16-26,16-30,16-34,16-38,16-42,16-48.

News

Exciting partnership for Lions’ Foundation

LIONS’ FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES COACHING PARTNERSHIP

Swinton Lions Community Sports Foundation is proud to announce a new community partnership with Manchester Rugby Coaching, an organisation recently set up by specialist athletic performance and rugby coach, Chris Honor.

Lions’ Director of Development Damian Ridpath, said, “I am delighted to confirm this partnership with Manchester Rugby Coaching. After meeting Chris, it was very apparent that we had like-minded views on rugby league development and coaching in general. Our Lions Foundation has been working in RL delivery non-stop for the past three years, so to partner with Chris and his organisation to help us deliver wider outcomes for the sport, and to stretch our influence was fantastic. Manchester Rugby Coaching will sub-contract from the Lions helping us achieve the specific targets that we have set to grow our club’s Foundation and the sport of Rugby League in the Manchester City Region.”

Chris Honor of Manchester Rugby Coaching said, “”I am delighted to be partnering with Swinton Lions as we grow the game of rugby league throughout Manchester and its surrounding areas. To have the backing of not just the RFL, but also of a club like Swinton Lions with all its history, means a lot for Manchester Rugby Coaching. After meeting Damian to discuss how we can work together, his passion not only for the game but also for the club was clear to see. It will be a privilege to work alongside Damian and the Swinton Lions club moving forward.

“Manchester Rugby Coaching and Swinton Lions both have big ambitions, and it will be great to provide a direct link to my customers to the club, and hopefully create some more Lions fans and perhaps even future first team players. This is very much a partnership and I thank Damian and the club for their belief and trust in Manchester Rugby Coaching as we move to provide more opportunities in the community and for the growth of the beautiful game.”