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Illingworth  14          Swinton Lionesses  14

Alan Dixon at Mason Green

The final league game of the season ended in a hard earned draw for the Lionesses. They can now look forward to a week off before the play-offs start in a fortnight.

The Lionesses were first to score in the 9th minute. Illingworth knocked on close to the Swinton line. From the resulting scrum, Maddie Higson raced 90 metres to score under the posts. Georgia Cunliffe kicked the conversion to make it 6-0. The kick off was fumbled by the Lionesses. Illingworth recovered the ball and quickly moved downfield. The Lionesses left sided defence was drawn into the middle which allowed Illingworth to create a large overlap and Katie Smith crossing the line to score. She missed the conversion. Illingworth went on the attack again. The kick off went straight to Reagan Walker who took the ball into the Swinton half. A couple of tackles later and Illingworth scored when Angel Bentley dived over from close range. Katie Smith added the conversion and Illingworth now led 10-6 after 16 minutes. The restart was almost a carbon copy of the previous one. Again the ball went to Reagan Walker who took the ball deep into the Lionesses half. A superb tackle by Daisy Pearson put the Illingworth winger into touch yards from the line.

The Lionesses could not get out of their own half. Illingworth continued to put pressure on the Swinton line, but the Lionesses defence held strong. The Lionesses eventually got into the Illingworth half after 38 minutes. After a penalty was awarded to the Lionesses, the ball was moved across field to Mia Atherton to score. Georgia Cunliffe was unable to added the conversion and the half finished all square at 10-10.

The second half started with Illingworth camped on the Lionesses line. The Lionesses eventually broke away in the 46th minute. A strong run by Maddie Corrigan put the Lionesses on the attack in the Illingworth half of the field. The ball eventually found its way to Ellie Thirkell who went through a gap to score. Georgia Cunliffe missed the conversion. The Lionesses now led 14-10. Illingworth went back on the attack. The Lionesses defence stayed strong as Macy McDermott crossed the line but couldn’t ground the ball. The Lionesses broke away after 53 minutes. Daisy Pearson was tackled just short of the try line. Illingworth’s Elizabeth Stubley was sin binned for foul play in the tackle.  Swinton pressurised the Illingworth line. Two minutes later, the Lionesses got another penalty for a high tackle on Eve Ashcroft who had to leave the field. From the penalty, the ball was moved out wide to Chloe Birkett who knocked on as she crossed the line. 

Illingworth went back on the attack. The Lionesses couldn’t get out of their own half. Chloe Birkett saved a certain try by tackling the Illingworth winger into touch in the 56th minute.  The Lionesses defence continued to stay strong despite losing players through injury. Illingworth crossed the Lionesses line in the 67th minute. Again the defence stopped them from grounding the ball. Two minutes later, they crossed the line again. This time Daisy Pearson was able to strip the ball and regain possession. The Lionesses defence was eventually breached in the 77th minute when Reagan Walker scored out wide. Katie Smith missed the conversion. The Lionesses had one last chance to win it. Illingworth knocked on the restart. From the scrum, the Lionesses moved the ball out towards the wing, but they dropped the ball and the referee blew up for full time.

Teams :

Illingworth : Angel Bentley, Tira Murray, Maia Taktikos, Charlotte McCauliffe, Alice Stubley, Summa Hunter, Julia Lowery, Sienna McPherson, Holly Waddington, Elizabeth Stubley, Lilliebelle Hunter, Macy McDermott, Libby Beckett. SUBS : Ruby-Mae Broadbent, Briony Crawshaw, Niamh Cresswell, Gabrielle Kaney, Katie Smith, Debbie Smith, Reagan Walker

Tries : K. Smith (12), Bentley (16), Walker (77)

Goals : K. Smith 1

Swinton Lionesses : Maddie Higson, Izzy Birds, Mia Atherton, Maddie Corrigan, Daisy Pearson, Georgia Cunliffe, Ellie Thirkell, Leah Christian, Eve Ashcroft, Abbie Parkes-Holden, Emily Haley, Holly Grimes, Rebecca Roden. SUBS : Patrycja Baranek, Libby Curran, Mollie Scotson, Catherine Sweeney, Morgan Corrigan, Jo Mullins, Chloe Birkett, Chloe Latham

Tries : Higson (9), Atherton (38), Thirkell (46)

Goals : Cunliffe 1

Pens : 4-5                  Half Time : 10-10

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A great night of rugby league at the AJ Bell with Swinton’s latest ETP session.

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NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 12 SWINTON LIONS 38

IAN RIGG Victoria Park, Saturday.

A stunning comeback after a shaky start helped the Lions to a seven try victory over the Crusaders at an impressive venue in front of a large passionate crowd for which the Lions fans seemed to just tip the balance and they cheered their side to victory. Crusaders played with the slight wind behind them in the first half and took the lead in only the third minute when Benn Hardcastle launched a high kick and as Dan Abram ran to collect it the bounce took it backwards towards the advancing Pat Ah Van and he scored on the right with Tommy Johnson adding the conversion. From the restart the Lions lost control of the ball, and this put Crusaders back on the attack and once again the made the Lions pay when Reece Briers sent a kick towards the corner and Oliver Brookes was fastest to react and collect the ball to score in the corner with Johnson again on target with the boot. Nick Gregson opened the Lions account in the eleventh minute when Louis Brogan went close and from the play the ball, he found the gap on the left to dive over but Abram could not convert. Try of the match came two minutes later when Lewis Hatton collected the restart near his own line and was tackled on the twenty but from the play the ball hooker Matty Wilkinson took the ball and found a gap in the Crusaders defence to race seventy metres to score by the posts at the other end leaving defenders in his wake and Abram converted. The Next Lions try came quickly when Johnson knocked on in his own twenty and the attack was on the Crusaders line again and this saw Lewis Else crash over taking three defenders with him to score but Abram struck the posts with this conversion attempt while Else was helped from the field with a leg injury. Crusaders had some good chances with the ball, but silly handing errors kept letting them down and Brad Holroyd for the Lions and Brookes for Crusaders both had chances before the Lions scored again six minutes from the break when Jordan Case went over by the posts and Abram converted to give his side an eight-point advantage at the break.

The Lions continued to press the Crusaders line right from the start of the second half and forced two goal line drop outs in the first six minutes and the second one almost provided a try for Mike Butt but good defence managed to knock him in touch, he did though get over the line on fifty-five minutes when he won a one on one ball steal to race half the length of the field with Briers in pursuit to score on the right and Abram converted. Rob Massam tried to get his side on the board going for the left corner on sixty-three minutes but lost control of the pass and two minutes later it was the Lions that were in again after some excellent built up by Wilkinson and he managed to get Deane Meadows over by the posts and Abram converted again. Massam then had another chance but again with the same result a lost ball after what looked a wild pass to the left. The final Lions try was another long range one with this time Jack Hansen breaking seventy metres from his own line before handing onto the supporting Brad Holroyd who scored by the posts and again the conversion was good. Callum Hazzard was sent to the sin bin by referee Matt Rossleigh with six minutes left for a push off the tackle, but it was already job done for the Lions and a deserved week off for them.

MATCHFACTS

CRUSADERS

  1 Tommy Johnson

17 Oliver Brookes

  2 Pat Ah Van

  4 Jack Holmes

  5 Rob Massam

14 Reece Briers

  7 Benn Hardcastle

  8 Callum Hazzard

  6 Brad Billsborough

10 Jack Houghton

11 Gav Rodden

12 Alex Eckley

13 Matt Fletcher

Subs (all used)

  9 Paul Nash

15 Brad Brennan

26 Aaron Hall

20 Matt Reid

Tries: Ah Van (3), Brookes (6)

Goals: Johnson 2/2

Sin-bin: Hazzard (76) Dissent

LIONS

  1 Dan Abram

31 Brad Holroyd

     Max Roberts

11 Rhodri Lloyd

  2 Mike Butt

  6 Lewis Else

  7 Jack Hansen

16 Louis Brogan

14 Matty Wilkinson

10 Lewis Hatton

12 Mitch Cox

13 Nick Gregson

25 Lewis Charnock

Subs (all used)

23 Jordan Case

17 Jack Spencer

18 Paddy Jones

20 Deane Meadows

Tries: Gregson (11), Wilkinson (13), Else (17), Case (34), Butt (55), Meadows (65), Holroyd (71)

Goals: Abram 5/7

Penalties: 5-6 Half-time: 12-20

Referee:   Matt Rossliegh Attendance:  751

SCORING SECQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 12-4, 12-10, 12-14, 12-20, 12-26, 12-32, 12-38.

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SWINTON LIONS 35 OLDHAM 6

IAN RIGG Heywood Road, Sunday

The Lions completed the double over local rivals Oldham to move into second place in the table on points difference with a massive game to come next week away to North Wales Crusaders. Rhodri Lloyd had the first chance of the match when he went for the right corner but was tackled dead in goal, but Joe Hartley put Oldham ahead on twelve minutes when he crossed on the left after escaping a tackle and Martyn Ridyard converted. The Lions hit back five minutes later when Jack Hansen launched a high kick, and the ball was allowed to bounce, and Richard Lepori reacted first to score on the right with Dan Abram converting. The Lions were on the attack midway through the half but time and time again the Oldham defence held out and Jonathan Openshaw went close for the visitors on twenty-seven minutes grounded just short of the line but got injured in the process and had to leave the field. Defences were certainly on top in the closing stages of the half when Abram had a couple of chances for the Lions, but former Oldham player Max Roberts put the Lions ahead when he scored on the left, but it was too far out for Abram to convert and as the half time hooter sounded, they forced a goal line drop out, but nothing came of it.

The second half started with both sides having good chances but cancelling each other out with some good defence and the Lions went further ahead on fifty-nine minutes when Roberts made the initial break down the left before the ball was moved swiftly right and Mitch Cox crossed on the right and Abram converted. Openshaw returned for Oldham but was only on the field for one minute when his leg injury flared up again and he had to be substituted. The Lions then scored two tries in a four-minute period when firstly Brad Holroyd scored on the left from a Lewis Else pass and then Lewis Hatton went over on the left from another Else pass, and both were converted by Abram. Matty Wilkinson was held up on seventy-one minutes and then Oldham suffered another injury blow when Emmerson Whittel had to be helped from the field with a leg injury, but they had run out of substitutes and had to finish with twelve players. Owen Restall thought he had scored five minutes from time but was brought back for a forward pass and then Roberts was held up but from the play the ball Hansen added a drop goal on the last tackle. From the restart the Lions scored their final try of the match when it was the impressive Roberts who made the initial break up the left and with four players in support, he passed the ball to the supporting Nick Gregson who went over, and Abram converted again to secure a good win.

MATCFACTS

LIONS

  1 Dan Abram

31 Brad Holroyd

  4 Max Roberts

12 Mitch Cox

  5 Richard Lepori

  6 Lewis Else

  7 Jack Hansen

16 Louis Brogan

14 Matty Wilkinson

10 Lewis Hatton

11 Rhodri Lloyd

13 Nick Gregson

23 Jordan Case

Subs (all used)

25 Lewis Charnock

17 Jack Spencer

  8 Will Hope

  2 Mike Butt

Tries: Lepori (17), Roberts (37), Cox (59), Holroyd (64), Hatton (68), Gregson (79)

Goals: Abram 5/6

Drop-Goal: Hansen -1

OLDHAM

26 Bobbie Butterworth

22 Liam Copland

18 Joe Hartley

23 Kian Morgan

  1 Owen Restall

  6 Martyn Ridyard

  7 Dave Hewitt

  8 Luke Nelmes

30 Jonathan Openshaw

10 Tom Spencer

35 Oliver Field

12 Callum Cameron

13 Emmerson Whittel

Subs (all used)

14 Sean Slater

19 Dom Newton

17 Jack Coventry

16 James Thornton

Try: Hartley (12)

Goal: Ridyard 1/1

Penalty count: 5-2 Half-time: 10-6

Referee: John McMullen Attendance: 1009

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6,6-6,10-6,16-6,22-6,28-6,29-6,35-6.

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George Roby Update

Regrettably we have to confirm that hooker George Roby will be unable to play for the Lions again this season. 

George came to us on loan from Huddersfield Giants in May and scored a try on his debut in our victory over Hunslet at the South Leeds Stadium. He went on to score a magnificent 10 tries in 10 appearances, including a sensational four-haul in our win over Midlands Hurricanes at Heywood Road in July. George’s performances for the Lions have been consistently outstanding, and he will certainly be missed.

Upon hearing the news that George’s injury, incurred in training whilst with his parent club Huddersfield, would keep him out of action for the remainder of the 2022 season, Swinton Head Coach Allan Coleman said, “George has been brilliant for us since he arrived from Huddersfield on loan. He fitted into our culture instantly and that’s the sign of a true professional. George has the talent to go all the way in the game and it won’t be long before he’s a Super League regular. From myself and the players, I want to thank George for what he has done for Swinton Lions. He proved very popular amongst the lads and staff, and whatever we achieve this year a lot of that will be down to the performances George produced for us. I’d also like to thank Ian Watson and Huddersfield Giants for the opportunity to have taken George on loan this season.”

George has released a personal message on social media, part of which reads, “I would like to give big thanks to Allan Coleman and Swinton Lions for the time I’ve spent on loan there this year. It’s really helped me with the next step in my career, and all the lads there have been really great. The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time, but now it’s an operation and re-hab to get me back for pre-season for what is going to be a big year!””

Best of luck George in your future career. Thank you for your contribution to Swinton in 2022, and maybe one day we’ll see you back in a Lions’ shirt!

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SWINTON LIONS 38 HUNSLET  12

IAN RIGG Heywood Road, Sunday

A six try performance from the Lions helped them claim victory over an impressive Hunslet that never gave in and played some great rugby with ball in hand. Jack Render put Hunslet ahead in the second minute when he beat Richard Lepori to a high kick to score in the corner, but Pat Walker was unable to convert from the touchline. The Lions hit back four minutes later when Louis Brogan made a break down centre field before drawing in Jordan Paga before handing on to Lewis Hatton who scored under the posts and Dan Abram added the simple conversion. The Lions started to put pressure on the Hunslet line, but their impressive defence was holding firm, and they drew level on nineteen minutes when Walker kicked a penalty goal. The Lions hit a purple patch on twenty-six minutes when Nick Gregson chipped the ball through the defence and just managed to ground it for the try before the ball went dead and Abram again converted. This was quickly followed when Max Roberts finished off a nice passing movement to score on the left and again the conversion was good. Abram then kicked a penalty goal when a Hunslet player dumped a Lions player in the tackle and the Brad Holroyd made a great break up the right before offloading to Lepori who raced away to score under the posts and again Abram converted this, but Render could have added his second seconds from the half time hooter, but he could not control a kick through.

Just after the restart Jack Hansen tried a sublime pass to the supporting Rhori Lloyd but the centre could not control the ball. Hunslet then had some pressure on the line, and it took a good tackle from Paddy Jones to stop them scoring and then Ethan O’Hanlon went close but was held up. Leopri thought he had scored on fifty minutes but was offside. Hunslet then got a deserved try for their efforts when some intense pressure on the line saw Jordan Syme crash over by the posts and Walker added the conversion. The Lions came strong again in the final quarter when they had a penalty in the Hunslet ten but lost the ball on the second tackle and then Lewis Else was held up before Abram made a break from just inside his own half to feed Hansen who raced in under the posts and Abram again added the conversion. Else made the game safe for the Lions with five minutes left when he wrong footed the Hunslet defence to score under the posts and Abram again added the conversion for a perfect day with the boot.

MATCHFACTS

LIONS

  1 Dan Abram

31 Brad Holroyd

NN Max Roberts

11 Rhodri Lloyd

  5 Richard Lepori

  6 Lewis Else

  7 Jack Hansen

16 Louis Brogan

15 Billy Brickhill

10 Lewis Hatton

13 Nick Gregson

12 Mitch Cox

23 Jordan Case

Subs (all used)

17 Jack Spencer

25 Lewis Charnock

18 Paddy Jones

20 Deane Meadows

Tries: Hatton (6), Gregson (26), Roberts (29), Lepori (40), Hansen (70), Else (75)

Goals: Abram 7/7

HUNSLET

23 Jordan Paga

  2 Wayne Reittie

  4 Jason Mossop

35 Macauley Hallett

  3 Jack Render

26 Matty Beharrell

36 Pat Walker

  8 Harvey Hallas

  9 Harvey Whiteley

25 Joe Hird

11 Josh Jordan-Roberts

13 Jordan Syme

29 Kieran Moran

Subs (all used)

  6 Jamie Greenwood

17 Cole Oakley

15 Ethan O’Hanlon

12 Joe Summers 

Tries: Render (2), Syme (58)

Goals: Walker 2/3

Penalty count: 5-9 Half-time:  26-6

Referee:  Brad Milligan Attendance:  875

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 6-4, 6-6, 12-6, 18-6, 20-6, 26-6, 26-12, 32-12, 38-12.

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LIONS AND PRIDE BUILDER TO BUILD CLOSER TIES!

Members of the Swinton Lions Board of Directors recently met with the administrators of Pride Builder to discuss ways in which the relationship between the two can be developed and enhanced to their mutual benefit.

Launched four years ago, Pride Builder has been a remarkable success story. Its simplicity and independence are its main strengths, with Swinton supporters able to directly assist squad building through regular donations, however large or small. In season 2022 alone, Pride Builder has played a major part in securing the services of Mike Butt, Max Roberts, Matt Wilkinson, Jack Spencer, Dan Abram, Lewis Else and Jayden Hatton. More recently the loan spells of Max Kirkbright and Brad Holroyd were also underwritten by Pride Builder.

Lions’ CEO Steve Wild said, “Pride Builder has undoubtedly been a tremendous success since its inception, and following drastic cuts to our central funding, together with the general uncertainty which currently envelopes the direction of the sport, it’s set to become an even more important partner organisation moving forwards.

“Given Pride Builder’s importance to Swinton Lions, the Board felt it right and proper that a representative should play a more active role within the club, but without damaging or undermining Pride Builder’s independence. We are therefore delighted that Tim Fensome will effectively take up the role of a non-executive board member. This will not just enable communications, but also provide Pride Builder and its members with a greater understanding of the challenges we face as a semi-professional club. In many ways Pride Builder gives us an edge in an increasingly competitive competition, and the greater its success then the greater will be our ability to recruit the right kind of player to Swinton Lions.

“We want Pride Builder members to feel valued, and we want to give them an established and effective line of communication. In addition to establishing Tim’s role, we are already intending to implement some easy hits, such access to the executive bar on match days and access to the captain’s run on Saturday mornings. Then moving forward, we want Pride Builder to have greater visibility both on the ground and around the players themselves.”

On behalf of Pride Builder, Tim Fensome added, “Following a number of fruitful meetings with the Swinton Lions board, negotiating a number of benefits for our members, Pride Builder is delighted to be recognised as a vital financial contributor to the squad assembly process and, as such, would be keen to take a position on the club board, in order to be on the ‘front line’ of the recruitment process within the club. It will also make it easier for Pride Builder to get the best for its members throughout the season, whilst retaining its financial independence from the club. As secretary, I am happy to attend club board meetings on the Pride Builder members’ behalf.”

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WEST WALES RAIDERS 6 SWINTON LIONS 94

IAN RIGG Stebonheath Park, Saturday

Swinton Lions continued their current good form with a sixteen try performance to demolish the Raiders on their own patch with full back Dan Abram kicking fifteen goals to take the Lions record for kicks in a match. Raiders had first use of the ball when the Lions lost the ball at the kick off but they could not crack the defence. Jordan Case put the Lions ahead after seven minutes after some good build up play by Jordan Brown and Abram converted, and four minutes later they were in again when some good pressure on the line saw Rhodri Lloyd cross on the right and again the conversion was good. Jack Hansen scored the third on sixteen minutes after good play from Nick Gregson and the conversion was good again. Raiders found themselves in a good position on twenty-one minutes with a scrum in the Lions own twenty, but they threw this away when a passing movement to the left ten metres out was intercepted by Lloyd who raced the full ninety metres to score under the posts and the simple conversion was added. George Roby came on ten minutes from the break and with his first touch he scored to the right of the posts and converted again. Raiders substitute Callum Mulkeen was sent to the sin bin seven minutes from the break and within a minute Abram was over for a try on the right after a good passing movement and he actually missed this conversion. Hansen added his second three minutes from the break when he kicked through and chased to own kick to score by the posts and his third came on the half time hooter after good play by Gregson and both were converted.

There was no let up as the second half started when Raiders were on the attack and Abram collected a kick in his own ten before breaking halfway and feeding the supporting Louis Brogan who raced away to score, and the conversion was good. Will Hope scored the next try after he escaped several tackles to score by the posts and from the restart Richard Lepori danced through some tackles to score by the posts and both were converted. Lloyd added his third on fifty-seven minutes when he collected a Hansen short kick to score, and Abram converted again. The Raiders points came on the hour when Mike Holden intercepted on halfway to race over on the right with Shane Lee adding the conversion. The heat was intense on the pitch and Brown came back on from the bench and with his first touch he scored by the posts and this in fact was his first ever points in a Lions shirt and another inspired substitution worked three minutes later when Paddy Jones also scored with is first touch after being re-introduced to the game and both were converted by Abram. Lepori added his second before Raiders were again reduced to twelve men when Craig Lewis was sent to the sin bin for backchat to the official. The Lions final try came eight minutes from time when Abram now playing on the right wing cut inside to score and add the conversion that gave him a new Lions record. Raiders did have a late chance when Ewan Badham was held up over the line.

MATCHFACTS

RAIDERS

  2 Louis Sullivan

18 Keenan Dyer-Dixon

  1 Lewis Allen

12 Craig Lewis

  4 Sam Pridgeon

17 Shane Lee

16 Mike Holden

20 Harry Boots

  5 Ryan Cane

10 Ewan Badham

11 Lloyd Allen

19 Archie Whillock

13 Joe Burke

Subs (all used)

14 Ben Jackson

15 Callum Mulkeen

  8 Alan Pope

  3 Aedan Coleman

Try: Holden (60)

Goal: Lee 1/1

Sinbin: Mulkeen (33) Holding down

Lewis (70) Dissent

LIONS

  1 Dan Abram

32 Max Kirkbright

11 Rhodri Lloyd

12 Mitch Cox

  5 Richard Lepori

13 Nick Gregson

  7 Jack Hansen

18 Paddy Jones

14 Matty Wilkinson

10 Lewis Hatton

23 Jordan Case

16 Louis Brogan

24 Jordan Brown

Subs (all used)

30 George Roby

17 Jack Spencer

  8 Will Hope

20 Deane Meadows

Tries: Case (7), Lloyd (11,22,57), Hansen (16,37,39), Roby (30), Abram (34,72), Brogan (41), Lepori (47,67) Hope (44), Brown (62), Jones (65).

Goals: Abram 15/16

Penalty count: 1-11 Half-time: 0-46

Referee:  Michael Mannifield Attendance:  n/a

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6.0-12,0-18,0-24,0-30,0-34,0-40,0-46,0-52,0-58,0-64,0-70.6-70,6-76,6-82,6-88,6-94.

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 SWINTON TO HOST WALES VERSUS LEBANON IN WORLD CUP WARM-UP 

Swinton Lions RLFC is set to host a World Cup warm-up match, with Wales and Lebanon scheduled to meet at Heywood Road, Sale, on Saturday 8 October, with a 3pm kick-off. 

Lions’ CEO Steve Wild revealed, “At Swinton we are absolutely thrilled and honoured to be hosting this incredibly attractive pre-World Cup warm-up match between Wales and Lebanon. Firstly I want to thank our stadium hosts Sale FC Rugby Club for their enthusiasm and co-operation in making the game a reality. This event underlines the fantastic relationship we enjoy at Heywood Road. 

“Going back to our Station Road days, Swinton Lions has a long tradition of hosting international matches, and it’s a great pleasure to be able to resurrect that tradition at Sale. Perhaps we’ll even see a couple of Swinton lads in the Welsh line-up, with Rhodri Lloyd and Mike Butt hopefully making the squad. 

“We also hope that the Greater Manchester public, including of course the Lebanese community and those with a Welsh affiliation, will take this opportunity to see some top class international rugby league at Heywood Road, which is only 4 miles from Old Trafford, the venue for the World Cup Final itself. Both competing nations have been a pleasure to deal with in the build-up, and I’ve no doubt that we will see a wonderful celebration of our sport on 8th October.” 

Chair of Wales Rugby League, Brian Juliff, said, “Wales Rugby League is eagerly looking forward to the pre-World Cup fixture against Lebanon Rugby League on 8 October. 

“Lebanon are a quality team, coached by former Australian Rugby Union stalwart Michael Cheika, and populated with a core of experienced Australian NRL players. This will provide us with a perfect match as we prepare our squad to face very similar opposition in the qualifying rounds at the finals. 

“Our opening game at the World Cup is against the Cook Islands who are of a similar player group to Lebanon, so this game will be formative to our preparations. We anticipate a tough and entertaining encounter against Lebanon, and we will field our strongest team in front of a big crowd at Heywood Road, Sale. 

“Wales Rugby League is very grateful to Swinton Lions RLFC for hosting the game, whilst we also greatly appreciate the support of Sale FC Rugby Union Club for allowing us the use of their fantastic facilities.” 

Nayef Abi Said, speaking on behalf of the Lebanese Rugby League Federation, added, “We are very much looking forward to playing Wales at the Swinton Lions home ground. The Dragons are a very tough opponent, but we are excited for the challenge. In the larger picture, this match will aid toward our preparedness and hopefully another successful World Cup campaign.” 

“Underlying all, Lebanon has always held an unwavering respect towards and for the Welsh team, fans and nation as a whole, and it will prove another great honour to face them on the field.”