We're sponsored by Glossop Caravans

News

Lions’ Foundation expanding their reach in Partnership with Hideout Youth Zone

The Lions Foundation are further expanding the club reach by delivering Rugby League sessions in partnership with the Hideout Youth Zone in Gorton every Saturday morning.
This engagement is part of a wider strategic community plan that has been supported by BBC Children in Need Fund who have invested a significant 5 figure sum to enable initial delivery for 3 years.
Our two new community coaches Mark and Finlay have now been delivering a number of sessions weekly across Trafford Manchester and Salford since April.
On Saturday our community coaching team delivered their 4th session at Hide Out in Gorton. The coaches set up 3 skill drills for the children to test themselves on. Over the past few weeks we have had over 30 different children trying our skill games. Week 4 saw Lionesses  Rebecca and Georgia come along and deliver 3 skill games to a girls only class. This class saw 20 different girls try the skill games and compete in an agility race.
Mark Robinson, Swinton Lions Community Coach – The Hide Out runs where children can come in and out of games and tasks in the youth zone. We decided to do the skill games instead of it being like a rugby training session. This has worked well and each week our numbers have grown. To have the girls down this week was amazing and the girls in the youth zone really got involved. This is a small step in the right direction to grow our playing numbers in Manchester.

News

Trafford RL Inspired by 9s Competition

Swinton Lions Community Sports Foundation hosted the Trafford RL Inspired by 9s competition @ Wellington High School in Timperley last week. The competition targeted by the RFL and RLWC for years 7/8 boys and girls to develop Rugby League in non-traditional communities was a great success, 5 schools and 11 teams were represented in the tournament for the 3 categories and all participated in a round robin tournament with the top 2 playing each other in a Grand Final.
All 3 finals were participated between Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College and Wellington High, with BTH winning through to represent Trafford in the Girls Tournament and with Wellington going forward to represent Trafford in the boys year7/8  tournaments in the National Finals which take place in this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively at Victoria Park, Warrington. Swinton Lions staff will be attending to support the successful schools in the Finals.
Damian Ridpath ‘Lions Director of Development’ ” The event was excellent and every young person played their part in some exciting close games, considering the majority of the young people playing were new to Rugby League. There have been definite future stars of Rugby League on show. Over 100 young people played in the tournament and this definitely  gives our sport optimism as we look to grow RL at all levels. As the host professional club in the borough where the World Cup Final will take place it was fantastic to Swinton Lions CSF helping to provide playing opportunities for kids through their school. In the next academic year we are also looking to provide 13-a-side opportunities in addition to 9s Tournaments showing our commitment to working and supporting Rugby League in the borough where we play our home games.”

News

Match report – Wigan St. Patricks vs Swinton Lionesses

Wigan St. Patricks  10          Swinton Lionesses  34

Alan Dixon at Clarington Park

The unbeaten Swinton Lionesses were made to work hard for the victory by bottom of the table Wigan St. Patricks.

They got off to a dream start after St. Patricks failed to recover the kick off and the ball went into touch. From the resulting scrum, the ball found its way out to Maddie Higson  to score out wide. Georgia Cunliffe missed the conversion. From the restart, the Lionesses went back on the attack. After a penalty for a high tackle on Mia Atherton, the ball was moved out wide and the ball found its way to Maddie Corrigan who raced away to score under the posts. Georgia Cunliffe converted and the Lionesses led 10-0 after 5 minutes. The Lionesses continued to attack the line, but were denied by stubborn St. Patricks defence. St. Patricks managed to attack the Lionesses line after 11 minutes with Chloe Myers going close. A mistake by St. Patricks resulted on a scrum on the Swinton 10 metre line. The ball was moved up- field and Ellie Thirkell ran 60 metres to score near the posts after handing off the fullback. Georgia Cunliffe converted to make it 16-0. The Lionesses attacked again from the kick off. A good run by Maddie Corrigan resulted in the ball being moved across field to find Rebecca Roden who scored out wide. Georgia Cunliffe converted to make it 22-0 after 17 minutes.

St. Patricks lost the in the 21st minute whilst attempting to get out of their own half. The ball was recovered by the Lionesses. It was moved out to Maddie Higson who raced 35 metres to score by the posts. Georgia Cunliffe converted and the Lionesses led 28-0. St. Patricks eventually got on the scoreboard after 28 minutes. After pressurising the Swinton line, they put on a switch move which enabled Robyn Birchall to score in the corner. Sarah Harrison missed the conversion and the Lionesses led 28-4 at the break.

Defences dominated the second half. The Lionesses suffered a double blow with Ashley Deas and Maddie Corrigan both going off injured in the 50th and 53rd minutes. The St. Patricks was eventually breached in the 60th minute. Swinton won a scum in their own half. The ball was moved out to Mia Atherton who broke through the St. Patricks tackles and race 50 metres to the line to score under the posts. Georgia Cunliffe converted to make it 34-4. Both defences continued to hold out. St. Patricks eventually breached the Lionesses defence in the last minute. They moved the ball 70 metres down field for Naoimh Gill-Ward to score under the posts. Sarah Harrison converted  to make the final score 34-10.

Teams :

Wigan St. Patricks : Naoimh Gill-Ward, Robyn Birchall, Katie Sandison, Ollie Forbes, Emily Morris, Michelle Woodcock, Sarah Harrison, Milaina Bretherton, Aimee Rice, Elizabeth Batchelor, Elisha-Marie Foster, Hannah Goulbourne, Chloe Myers. SUBS : Chloe Hammond, Jayne, Robinson

Tries : Birchall (28), Gill-Ward (79)

Goals : Harrison 1

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

Tries : Higson (1,21), Maddie Corrigan (5), Thirkell (14), Roden (17), Atherton (60)

Goals : Cunliffe 5

Pens : 8-3                  Half Time : 4-28

News

Match Report – Swinton Lionesses vs Halifax Panthers

Swinton Lionesses  58          Halifax Panthers  22

Alan Dixon at Blue Ribbon Playing Fields

The Lionesses remained top of the table after beating a hard earned victory over a much bigger Halifax Panthers. Halifax came into the game in second place and were the only other unbeaten team in the league.

It took the Lionesses four minutes to open the scoring. The Lionesses recovered a Halifax knock on and moved the ball downfield. Ellie Thirkell was tackled just short of the line, and from the play the ball, Mia Atherton scooted over to score. Georgia Cunliffe couldn’t convert in the windy conditions. The Lionesses knocked on at the restart and from the resulting scrum, Halifax moved the ball downfield and Elyse Royale scored under the posts. Chloe Brown converted and Halifax led 6-4. Halifax continued to attack the Lionesses line and in the twelfth minute, they put in a kick which was recovered by Chloe Latham. The ball was moved across to Maddie Corrigan who raced 50 metres before being tackled. A quick play the ball resulted in Maddie Higson weaving her way through the Halifax defence to score. Georgia Cunliffe added the extras and the Lionesses led 10-6. A high Tackle by Halifax in the 18th minute resulted in a Swinton penalty and Mia Atherton ran 30 metres to score in the corner. Georgia Cunliffe conversion attempt fell just short.

Halifax reduced the arrears to 2 points after the Lionesses were caught offside. From the penalty Carly Yeaman scored next to the post. Stacy Mowforth added the extras. Five minutes later, Halifax’s attack broke down with a wayward pass which was recovered by Catherine Sweeney. From the play the ball, Mia Atherton broke through the defence and raced 90 metres to score next to the posts. Georgia Cunliffe kicked the conversion and the Lionesses led 20-12. The Lionesses failed to take the kick off and were forced to drop out from under the posts. The drop out failed to go 10 metres. From the resulting penalty, Halifax were held up over the line. A couple of tackles later Elyse Royale crashed over the line to score. Chloe Brown kicked the conversion and the Lionesses lead was back to 2 points. This time Halifax couldn’t field the kick off as it went into touch. The Lionesses moved the ball across field and a long pass by Georgia Cunliffe found Molly Ross on the wing who scored in the corner. Georgia Cunliffe couldn’t add the conversion and the Lionesses led 24-18 at the break.

Halifax restarted the game and from the first tackle, Maddie Corrigan raced 60 metres to score under the posts. Georgia Cunliffe kick the conversion and the Lionesses now led 30-18. Halifax could not cope with the Lionesses speed as Ellie Thirkell went on a 30 metre weaving run. Maddie Corrigan then went on a run and was only stopped by a high tackle which knocked out one of the Halifax players. At this point the game was halted and an ambulance was called. A decision was made to continue the game on the neighbouring pitch while treatment was given to the unconscious player. The resulting penalty had the Lionesses camped on the Halifax line. After being held up twice, the ball was moved across to Maddie Higson who dummied the defence before passing it to Ellie Thirkell who scored in the corner. Georgia Cunliffe couldn’t add the extras and the Lionesses now led 34-18. There was another lengthy stoppage in the 49th minute when a Halifax player went down with a suspected broken ankle. Halifax were caught cold from the restart as Maddie Corrigan ran 70 metres to score by the posts. Georgia Cunliffe added the extras to make it 40-18. The Panthers hit back 4 minutes later when Kate Wilkinson-Hill scored in the corner. Kirsty Hodgson missed the conversion.

Halifax were now putting pressure on the Swinton defence, but the Lionesses held out. They almost broke the Lionesses defence with 10 minutes left, but Becky Goulding dropped the ball over the line. The Lionesses moved the ball downfield and after a scrum on the Halifax 30 metre line, Maddie Higson weaved her way to the corner to score. Georgia Cunliffe kicked the conversion and the lead was now 40-22. From the restart, good runs by Mia Atherton and Catherine Sweeney resulted in Holly Grimes scoring a try. She converted her own try to make it 52-22. The Lionesses final try came straight from the restart as Chloe Birkett broke through the defence on a 70 metre run to the line to score under the posts. Holly Grimes converted to make the final score 58-22.

Teams :

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

Tries : Atherton (4,18,30), Higson (8,72), Ross (38), Corrigan (41,49), Thirkell (44), Grimes (75), Birkett (77)

Goals : Cunliffe 5, Grimes 2

Halifax Panthers : Erin Ingeby, Georgia Pitman-Smith, Becky Goulding, Amelia Greenwood, Kelly Darragh, Molly England, Sarah Kennedy, Stacy Mowforth, Rochelle Statham-Drake, Chloe Brown, Shell Thomas, Carly Yeaman, Beth Greenwood, SUBS : Elyse Royale, Kate Wilkinson-Hill, Kara Colvin, Kirsty Hodgson

Tries : Royale (8,35), Yeaman (25), Wilkinson-Hill (53)

Goals : Brown 2, Mowforth 1

Pens : 3-3                  Half Time : 24-18

News

SWINTON LIONS 34 ROCHDALE HORNETS 14

IAN RIGG Heywood Road, Sunday

Swinton Lions pulled off a stunning victory against their local rivals to move into second place in the table.

Lions started the game strongly and Lewis Else went close in the fourth minute but lost the ball going for the line, but they did take the lead three minutes later when Lewis Hatton made a telling break down the centre of the field, and this set up the position for the other prop Louis Brogan to turn and dive over to the right of the posts and Dan Abram added the conversion. Hornets tried to hit back and had good position near the line, but Ben Forster could not keep control of the ball in the tackle. George Roby put the Lions further ahead on twenty-one minutes when he caught the Hornets defence napping near their own line to dart through and score by the posts and again Abram added the conversion from close range. Hornets hit back six minutes later when they made the most of a six again for Lewis Sheridan to dart through and score on the left side and he also added the conversion. 

Jack Hansen forced a goal line drop out seven minutes from the break but on the first play the ball Greg McNally was sent to the sin bin for holding down in the tackle and Abram added the resulting penalty from in front of the posts. The Lions third try came seconds from the break when Jordan Case made a break ending with Rhodri Lloyd scoring to the right of the posts and Abram converted as the siren went for the end of a very good first half for the Lions.

Former Lion Cobi Green almost opened the second half scoring on forty-seven minutes but was held up and from the play the ball it was fizzed wide for Rob Worrincy to dive in at the corner, but Sheridan could not convert and then five minutes later another attack down the right was ended by a forward pass. The Lions capitalised on this a minute later when some very good link up play between Lloyd and Billy Brickhill sent the supporting Mike Butt racing away to score by the posts and Abram was on target again.

Hansen forced another goal line drop out off Kieran Dixon this time, but Hornets went short with the drop out and got the ball back to set up the platform again for Worrincy to add his second with another touchdown in the right corner and again Sheridan could not add the conversion. Abram put the Lions further ahead on seventy-six minutes when he added another penalty for a push in the tackle. The Lions went further ahead three minutes later when some good play down the left by Mitch Cox saw him cut inside to score under the posts and Abram converted to complete the scoring at the end of a great performance.

MATCHFACTS

LIONS

  1 Dan Abram

  2 Mike Butt

  4 Max Roberts

28 Jayden Hatton

  5 Richard Lepori

  6 Lewis Else

  7 Jack Hansen

16 Louis Brogan

30 George Roby

10 Lewis Hatton

11 Rhodi Lloyd

12 Mitch Cox

25 Lewis Charnock

Subs (all used)

14 Matty Wilkinson

23 Jordan Case

15 Billy Brickhill

20 Deane Meadows

Tries: Brogan (7), Roby (21), Lloyd (39), Butt (53), Cox (77)

Goals: 7/7

HORNETS

  1 Greg McNally

32 Rob Worrincy

  3 Ben Calland

17 Cobi Green

38 Kieran Dixon

  6 Rangi Chase

  7 Lewis Sheridan

19 Ben Killen

28 Aiden Roden

10 Gavin Bennion

24 Ben Forster

13 Joe Taira

12 Paul Brearley

Subs (all used)

39 Sean Penkywicz

18 Luke Fowden

14 Connor Aspey

  8 FuiFui Moimoi

Tries: Sheridan (27), Worrincy (47,61)

Goals: 1/3

On report (21) Incident on Lions Player

Sin-Bin: McNally (34) Discent

Penalties: 8-6 Half-time:  20-6

Referee: Mike Mannifield Attendance: 1029

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0,12-6, 14-6.20-6, 20-10,26-10,26-14,28-14,34-14.

News

Swinton Lions strikes partnership deal with Harrison Drury

Swinton Lions RLFC has secured a legal partnership and sponsorship agreement with leading north west law firm Harrison Drury.

Based in Sale, Swinton Lions is one of the oldest rugby league clubs in the world. As part of the partnership deal, Harrison Drury will provide professional legal advice to the club and is sponsoring its fixtures against Doncaster on July 3 and Keighley Cougars on August 7, 2022. 

As the club’s official legal partner, Harrison Drury will also feature in promotional advertising at Swinton Lions’ home ground in Sale.

Through its specialist sports sector team, Harrison Drury will be on hand to advise Swinton Lions in relation to on and off field disciplinary and regulatory matters, in addition to supporting the club with corporate, commercial property and employment law issues, including player contracts, loans and transfers.

The partnership was formed through a close working relationship between Matthew Astley, associate solicitor at Harrison Drury and former professional rugby league player, who specialises in commercial and sports-related litigation, disciplinary and regulatory matters. 

Matthew said: “We are always seeking ways to work in partnership with local sports clubs and to support them, not only by providing legal expertise, but in recognition of the valuable role they play in their local communities. 

“As a former player, I have a keen interest in remaining connected with the sport in my role as a solicitor. Swinton Lions is a leading club that supports not only its players and wider staff group but also rugby league at grass roots level. It has made a huge contribution to the development of the sport across Greater Manchester and we are proud to be working with them.”

Stephen Wild, CEO of Swinton Lions RLFC said: “Swinton Lions rugby league club is an organisation with some 156 years of history. This proud heritage has not only sustained us over the years, it now also fuels our future ambitions, inspiration and pride.

“Harrison Drury shares an equal passion for supporting local communities, and we are therefore thrilled to welcome them as our official legal partners. They have already provided invaluable advice to the club over recent months, and it’s wonderful therefore to formally confirm our partnership.”

Founded in the late 19th century, Swinton Lions RLFC, based at CorPacq Stadium, Heywood Road, Sale, includes a professional men’s team in the national Betfred League 1 division, the Swinton Lionesses female team and Manchester Lions junior teams as well as operating various rugby-based community activities for the Greater Manchester region under the Lions’ Foundation banner.

News

Lions confirm contact with Gerrard’s of Swinton

Further to recent media speculation regarding the future of the AJ Bell Stadium, Swinton Lions can confirm that preliminary discussions have been held with local firm Gerrard’s of Swinton. Lions CEO, Steve Wild said, “I can confirm that I’ve spoken directly and at length with Sebastian Gerrard. He has updated us with his extremely exciting plans for rugby league in this area, whilst I was able to update him on our own plans and vision. We also spoke of the strong historic links between our two organisations. As responsible owners the current Swinton Board must always be ready to explore new opportunities as and when they arise. However, at the moment we are keeping an open mind, but I want to make it clear that no decisions have been made, and we are very respectful of our current situation at Heywood Road with Sale FC, with whom we have a wonderful working relationship.

News

LIONS AND FOLLY COLLABORATE ON COMMUNITY PROJECT

Swinton Lions Director of Development, Damian Ridpath, paid a visit to Folly Lane ARLFC late last week as part of the club’s contribution to the RFL’s Tackle IT programme, as well as our own Jose Kenga Diversity and Inclusion Project.

Damian spoke to the players and coaches of Folly’s Under 13s,14s,15s and 16s to educate the youngsters in respect of the prevention of all forms of discrimination in the sport of Rugby League and our community generally. In total, around 100 players, coaches and parents from Folly Lane participated in the workshops

On behalf of Folly Lane ARLFC, Paul Davidson said, “Folly Lane is proud to be an all-inclusive, family-orientated club, and it was great to welcome Damian Ridpath from Swinton Lions to lead inclusivity and diversity discussions with groups of our players. There was excellent delivery of the sessions by Damian, and so on behalf of Folly Lane I’d like to say a big thank you to Swinton Lions!”

News

Match Report – Swinton Lionesses vs Sheffield Eagles

Swinton Lionesses  36          Sheffield Eagles  22

Alan Dixon at Blue Ribbon Playing Fields

Swinton Lionesses continued their unbeaten start to the league season with a well earned victory over Sheffield Eagles. 

The Lionesses went close to scoring after 4 minutes when Rebecca Roden was tackled just short of the line after a nice kick and re-gather. More pressure was applied to the Sheffield line, but again the Lionesses were denied a score when Ellie Thirkell’s  pass to Izzy Birds was deemed to be forward.

Sheffield scored the first points of the afternoon after 14 minutes when Agnes Wood raced 80 metres direct from a scrum to score under the posts. Tori Thomas added the conversion. The Lionesses responded with a try from Maddie Corrigan after good runs from Holly Grimes and Rebecca Roden. Georgia Cunliffe converted to level the scores. Straight from the kick off, the ball was moved to Maddie Corrigan who raced 60 metres to score. Georgia Cunliffe again added the conversion to put the Lionesses ahead 12-6.

A high tackle after 28 minutes resulted in Sheffield moving the ball downfield and Chloe Askew going over to score. Tori Thomas missed the conversion. Three minutes later the Lionesses recovered a Sheffield knock on and Georgia Cunliffe dummied her way over to score under the posts. She converted her own try. The Lionesses scored again on the stroke of half time when Georgia Cunliffe put in a cross field kick for Chloe Birkett to catch and score. Georgia Cunliffe added the conversion and the Lionesses lead 24-10 at half time.

The Lionesses recovered the second half kick-off and Ellie Thirkell scored by the side of the posts. Georgia Cunliffe converted. The Lionesses knock on at the restart and from the scrum, Agnes Wood raced away to score. Tori Thomas missed the conversion. The Lionesses thought they had scored again 4 minutes later, but the pass to Catherine Sweeney was deemed to be forward. Sheffield applied pressure to the Swinton line and after 53 minutes, Agnes Wood again scored direct from a scrum. Tori Thomas missed the conversion.

It was Swinton’s turn to apply pressure and from a scrum Ellie Thirkell put in a kick behind the defence which Sheffield could not deal with and Abbie Parkes-Holden touched down to score. Georgia Cunliffe converted to make it 36-18.

Rebecca Roden was sin binned for kicking out after 65 minutes. Two minutes later, Sheffield had Agnes Wood sin binned for a dangerous tackle. The final score of the game came after 76 minutes when Sheffield’s Charlotte Johnstone scored out wide. Tori Thomas missed the conversion.

Teams :

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

Tries : Corrigan (20, 23), Cunliffe (31), Birkett (39), Thirkell (41), Parkes-Holden (62)

Goal : Cunliffe 6

Sheffield Eagles : Ellie Tiffin, Clara Reynolds, Chris Scullion, Claire Fisher, Tori Thomas, Hannah Crowe, Sarah Palmer, Capucine Auger, Agnes Wood, Jessica Sayles, Charlotte Johnstone, Beth Arnold, Pete Lendon. SUBS : Helen Teasdale, Molly Haglington, Simone Saunders, Chloe Askew, Isobel Stevens, Kennedy Nuttall, Katie Miller

Tries : Wood (14, 43, 53), Askew (28), Johnstone (76)

Goals : Thomas 1

Pens : 6-4                  Half Time : 24-10

1 22 23 24 25 26 89

Sponsors

Sale FC
Roadflash
Primus Traffic Management
Glossop Caravans
ROODSAFE
Created by Rugby League World Cup England 2021
Camway Installations
Daisymill Technologies
Swinton Lions Supporters Trust