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Match Report – Swinton Lions vs London Skolars

SWINTON LIONS 58

LONDON SKOLARS 14

IAN RIGG Heywood Road Sunday

The Lions got back to winning ways running in ten tries against a dogged Skolars team who dug in after last weeks heavy defeat. Lions took the lead after five minutes when a good passing movement saw Lewis Charnock dance his way through the defence to score on the left and Dan Abram converted. Three minutes later they added a second when a good passing movement ended with Max Roberts going over on the left and Abram converted again, and the scoring continued when Abram and Liam Forsyth combined to send Ben Heyes over in the corner and again Abram was on target. Lewis Hatton was held up a few minutes later but Skolars had their first good chance down the right, but Jerome Yates lost the ball in a good position with the line open. Skolars were constantly attacking the line and on twenty-five minutes Yates got his rewards when he collected the bouncing ball to score in the corner and Will Ramsey added the conversion.

Within a minute the Lions hit back when Charnock and Jack Hansen combined to send to send Lewis Else racing away to score and Abram converted this too and with six minutes to go the to the break Charnock added his second going over by the posts. Roberts added his second try within six minutes of the start of the second half touching down on the left after a very scrappy passage of play and again this was converted. This was quickly followed by a second try for Heyes who ran away from two defenders to score, and this was also converted by Abram.

Skolars were starting to ask questions of the Lions defence again and forced two goal line dropouts within two sets before the Lions defence was made to pay when Aaron Small forced his way over on the left, but Ramsey saw his conversion attempt bounce back off the posts and away. The Lions then struck back with two quick tries when Billy Brickhill crossed on the right on sixty-five minutes and Abram converted and then Roberts scored his third after Louis Brogan had gone close, but Abram could not convert from the touchline. The Lions shot themselves in the foot in defence and gifted a try to Skolars winger Leighton Ball who collected a wild pass to score in the corner, but Ramsey could not convert this one from the touchline and the final try came to Lions captain Rhodri Lloyd when he finished off a move created by Hansen to score to the right of the posts and Abram completed the scoring with the close-range conversion.

MATCHFACTS

LIONS

  1 Dan Abram

22 Ben Heyes

  3 Liam Forsyth

  4 Max Roberts

  2 Mike Butt

  6 Lewis Else

  7 Jack Hansen

16 Louis Brogan

14 Matty Wilkinson

10 Lewis Hatton

11 Rhodri Lloyd

12 Mitch Cox

25 Lewis Charnock

Subs (all used)

  9 Luke Waterworth

18 Paddy Jones

15 Billy Brickhill

24 Jordan Brown

Tries: Charnock (5,34), Roberts (8,46,68), Heyes (11,52), Else (29), Brickhill (65), Lloyd (77)

Goals: Abram 9/10

SKOLARS

  1 Jarred Bassett

  2 Leighton Ball

  3 Jerome Yates

  4 Aaron Small

23 Errol Carter

  6 Alex Deary

  7 Will Ramsey

  8 Christian Gale

  9 Jonny Bell

10 Sam Wellings

11 Luciano Bejanidze

12 Harry Kaufman

13 Liam O’Callaghan

Subs (all used)

14 Doug Chirnside

21 Will Blakemore

20 Rob Oakey

22 Kojo Korang

Tries: Yates (25), Small (62), Ball (73)

Goal: Ramsey 1/3

Penalty count: 4-7 Half-time:  30-6

Referee:  Kevin Moore

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0,18-6,24-6,30-6,36-6,42-6,42-10,48-10,52-10,52-14,58-14

News

Match report – Swinton Lionesses vs Illingworth

SWINTON LIONESSES 20

ILLINGWORTH 10

IAN RIGG At Heywood Road

The Lionesses continued their good form with a good hard-fought victory over Illingworth played as a double header before the Lions against London Skolars game.

Rebecca Roden put the Lionesses ahead after just five minutes when she crashed over on the left after a good passing movement, but Georgie Cunliffe was unable to add the conversion from the touchline. Illingworth came close five minutes later but prop Debbie Patrice-Smith was unable to control the ball going for the corner but she did make amends seven minutes later when she crashed over from short range, but Charlotte McCauliffe could not add then conversion and the scores were locked at four all.

Maddie Corrigan put the Lions back in the lead on thirty minutes after a super run by Chloe Birkett across the Illingworth defence, but this time Holly Grimes could not add the conversion again from the touchline and two minutes from the break Illingworth full back Niamh Cresswell was sent to the sinbin for an outburst vented towards referee James Flood.

Chloe Birkett got the Lions further ahead on the scoreboard five minutes into the second half when she left several defenders in her wake to score under the posts and Holly Grimes converted. Illingworth should have hit back but were pulled for a forward pass in the build-up. Holly Grimes missed what looked a simple penalty attempt on fifty minutes when Illingworth were pulled for offside in their own twenty, but they were given another penalty two minutes later in the same position and this time Georgie Cunliffe added the two points.

Illingworth came strong on fifty-seven minutes and Gabby Kanvey was held up but in the very next play the added their second try when Molly Waddington scored, and Charlotte McCauliffe added the conversion. The Lionesses secured the result with ten minutes left when Ellie Thirkell collected the ball in her own half and raced through two defenders attempts to tackle before going clear and scoring out on the right, but Maddie Higson could not convert but the result was already in the bag.

TEAMS:

LIONESSES: Maddie Higson, Izzy Birds, Maddie Corrigan, Mia Atherton, Catherine Sweeney, Ashley Deas, Ellie Thirkell, Emily Hayley, Eve Ashcroft, Abbie Parkes-Holden, Chloe Birkett, Rebecca Roden, Georgia Cunliffe. SUBS: Patrycja Baranek, Holly Grimes, Leah Christian, Carla Taylor, Daisy Pearson, Chloe Latham, Emily Swift.

Tries: Roden (5), Corrigan (30), Birkett (45), Thirkell (70)

Goals: Grimes 1, Cunliffe 1.

ILLINGWORTH: Cresswell, Ellis, Waddington, McCauliffe, K.Williams, Hunter, Bentley, Whitworth, S.Williams, Patrice-Smith, Smith, Kanvey, Stubley. SUBS: Jave, Holmes, Murray.

Referee: James Flood. Pens: 7-2 Half-time: 8-4

News

LIONS’ COMMUNITY PROGRAMME GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

News

Lionesses triumph at Hornets!

Rochdale Hornets 16 Swinton Lionesses 46

Yesterday our Lionesses got off to a brilliant start in their League 1 campaign.

Playing on the Rochdale Mayfield ground at Castleton in what was their first ever official league fixture, the Lionesses secured a fine victory against Rochdale Hornets.

For the Lionesses there were some really good individual displays in both attack and defence, and overall Head Coach Martina Greenwood was very happy with how the entire team gelled together. Martina said. “We have worked hard at putting a lot of things right and developing our structures, and happily our efforts came together today. Yes there are always things to work on, but this was great opening start to the season.”

Lionesses:-

1. Maddison Higson (2 tries; 1 goal)
2. Chloe Latham
3. Mia Atherton (1 try)
4. Maddie Corrigan (1 try)
5. Catherine Sweeney
6. Ashley Deas
7. Ellie Thirkell (3 tries)
8. Emily Haley
9. Eve Ashcroft
10. Abbie Parkes-Holden
11. Rebecca Roden (2 tries)
12. Chloe Birkett
13. Georgia Cunliffe (4 goals)

Interchanges

1. Patrycja Baranek
2. Daisy-Mai Pearson
3. Joanne Mullins 

News

Match Report – Keighley Cougars vs Swinton Lions

KEIGHLEY COUGARS 30

SWINTON LIONS 0

IAN RIGG @ Cougar Park

Another bad weekend for the Lions going down to a heavy defeat to the unbeaten Cougars who have not looked back since the Lions defeated them in the warmup game a couple of months ago.

Coach Rhys Lovegrove has got his side playing some impressive rugby and, in this game the defensive effort was equally as good.

The home side took the lead in the first minute when the Lions were penalised for a high shot right in front of the posts and Jack Miller kicked the early points. Scott Murrell was causing the Lions defence all kinds of trouble with his attacking plays and on ten minutes he sent a stab kick towards the Lions line with Dan Abram racing onto it in his in goal but as he was tackled, he lost the ball and Cougars fullback Lewis Young reacted fastest to collect the loose ball and score with Miller converting from close range. Three minutes later they were in again when Miller went over from close range and added the conversion too to stretch the lead.

The Lions had a rare attack just before the half hour when Jose Kenga was held up under the posts, but the chance went, and Cougars further increased their lead four minutes from the break when they won a scrum on thirty metres and the ball moved swiftly to the right with Mo Agoro breaking a tackle on the wing and racing away unopposed to score by the posts with Miller again converting to give his side a twenty-point lead 

The Lions came out much better at the start of the second half but lost Richard Lepori to a head knock after just four minutes when he was injured in a tackle chasing a ball. Then came a few chances with Paddy Jones, and Rhodri Lloyd playing his 150^th Lions game being held up and then Jayden Hatton chased a Kieran Rush kick for the corner, but the bounce was too strong for him. Nick Gregson was sent to the sin bin on fifty-three minutes for holding down in the tackle and while he was off Jayden Hatton had another chance only to be knocked into touch as he went for the corner and just seconds before Gregson was about to come back from his sin bin the Cougars scored again when Charlie Graham went through a huge gap to score by the posts and Miller converted again. Three minutes later they were in again when a long pass found Agoro to score his second in the corner, but Miller failed with the boot this time. In the final eight minutes Jayden Hatton had two more good chances but the Cougars defence would not let him pass and Deane Meadows was also sent to the din bin. The Lions now get two weeks off to recharge their batteries before taking on London Skolars at home.

LIONS:

Abram, Butt, Roberts, J.Hatton, Lepori, Gregson, Rush, Spencer, Waterworth, L.Hatton, Lloyd, Cox, Meadows. SUBS: Wilkinson, Kenga, Charnock, Jones.

Penalties: 11-10 Half-time:  0-20 Attendance:  1233 Referee: Brad Milligan

News

GIANT KIERAN JOINS LIONS IN LOAN DEAL!

We are pleased to announce that the Huddersfield Giants half-back or hooker, Kieran Rush, has joined Swinton on a loan agreement. He will train with his new team mates for this first time this evening at the Lions’ AJ Bell training base.

Kieran, who is 19 years old, has emerged through the scholarship and academy system at Huddersfield, and looks set for a bright future in the game. He comes highly recommended, and Lions’ Head Coach Allan Coleman was delighted with our new arrival.

Allan said, “It’s great to be able to welcome Kieran to Swinton. We’ve kept contact with Huddersfield over recent weeks, and I’d like to thank Giants’ Head Coach Ian Watson, and CEO Andy Kelly, for their support which has enabled this agreement to take place. I’m really looking forward to seeing Kieran in a Swinton shirt.”

Kieran added, “I’m really happy to be at Swinton Lions, and I can’t wait to get some game time and show what I can do.”

Good luck Kieran and welcome to the Lions!

News

CHALLENGE CUP FINAL TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE LIONS!

WIGAN or ST HELENS v HUDDERSFIELD or HULL KR

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London – Saturday 28 May 2022, kick-off 3pm

Tickets are NOW on sale DIRECT FROM SWINTON LIONS for the Challenge Cup Final at the iconic brand new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 28 May. Please note that by buying from us you are directly helping Swinton Lions because we receive a share of the proceeds!

Not only that, but we can offer a huge 33% saving off the face value of the tickets, with £30 tickets available for just £20. 

The seats are in block 502, and from what we have been told there is not a bad seat in the house! Tickets can either be posted out, or can be collected at Heywood Road at our upcoming matches against London Skolars and Cornwall.

News

Match Report – Swinton Lions vs North Wales Crusaders

SWINTON LIONS  6

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 13

IAN RIGG Heywood Road Sunday

The Crusaders took the points in a pulsating game watched by a large crowd in the Easter sunshine as both sides went into this game were undefeated. It was a tense start and in the open exchanges both teams were testing each other’s defences, but it was the visitors who had the early chance when Jordy Gibson broke down the left but his final pass to Rob Massam floated forward and then the Lions had a similar chance when Dan Abram set Max Roberts away, but this was judged forward too. Nick Gregson went close for the Lions on sixteen minutes and then Gav Rodden made a telling break down the left wing and looked like he might score but it took a good tackle from Rhodri Lloyd and Richard Lepori to stop his progress and knock him into touch. There were too more chances for the Lions with Lewis Hatton and Jordan Case going close but excellent defence from Crusaders held them out and in between Massam got over on the left only to be pulled up for a forward pass as he took the final ball.

It took twenty-nine minutes before the opening try came and some intense pressure on the Lions line saw Alex Eckley crash over by the posts and Tommy Johnson added the simple conversion. This sparked the Lions again and Mitch Cox went close after Jono Smith had been penalised for taking out Gregson just before the build-up. Massam looked all on a try scorer three minutes from the break when he broke clear down the left and it took a super tackle by Lepori to stop what looked a certain try.

The Lions started the brighter in the second half and Gregson had another chance being held up near the line, but it was the home side who levelled the scores on forty-eight minutes when a good build up and the final pass by Jack Hansen sent him over on the right and Abram added the conversion. Pat AhVan and Massam were causing the Lions defence many problems down the left and almost got a second try only to be pulled for a forward pass. Lloyd had a good chance for the Lions before Crusaders took the lead again following a nice reverse kick by the line and Rodden was fastest to react to score on the left and again Johnson made no mistake with his conversion. The Lions had yet another chance with this time Max Roberts being held short before Crusaders were awarded a penalty for offside, but Johnson was off target from far out with this one. The Lions should have finished the game better when they had two excellent chances in the last ten minutes with Lloyd being involved with both of them when firstly it looked easier for him to score as he was right on the line with a defender chasing but passed the ball to the support and it was judged forward and then he got over as he looked to score but it was judged a double movement. Step up former Lions half back Brad Billsborugh to make the points safe as he dropped a goal from thirty-five metres out to send the noisy band of Crusaders fans home happy.

MATCHFACTS

LIONS

  1 Dan Abram

  2 Mike Butt

  4 Max Roberts

28 Jayden Hatton

  5 Richard Lepori

13 Nick Gregson

  7 Jack Hansen

16 Louis Brogan

  9 Luke Waterworth

23 Jordan Case

11 Rhodri Lloyd

12 Mitch Cox

17 Jack Spencer

Subs (all used)

14 Matty Wilkinson

19 Jose Kenga

10 Lewis Hatton

25 Lewis Charnock

Try: Lloyd (48)

Goal: Abram 1/1

CRUSADERS

  1 Tommy Johnson

  4 Scott Turner

20 Jack Holmes

  2 Pat Ah Van

  5 Rob Massam

  6 Jordy Gibson

  7 Brad Billsborough

  8 Chris Barratt

  9 Callum Wood

10 Callum Hazzard

11 Gav Rodden

12 Kieran Sherratt

13 Matt Fletcher

Subs (all used)

14 Paul Nash

15 Brad Brennan

16 Alex Eckley

30 Jono Smith

Tries: Eckley (29), Rodden (58)

Goals: Johnson 2/2

Drop-Goal: Billsborough 1

Penalty count: 4-4 Half-time: 0-6

Referee: Matt Rossleigh Attendance: 1081

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 6-6, 6-12, 6-13

News

Match Report – Doncaster vs Swinton Lions

DONCASTER 22

SWINTON LIONS 64

IAN RIGG Eco-Power Stadium

Another big win for the Lions running in eleven tries as they swept Doncaster aside on a cool South Yorkshire afternoon watched by a crowd of just over a thousand and once again a good following from the Lions faithful.

Jayden Hatton put the Lions ahead in just the second minute after Nick Gregson had been held just short but some good passing saw the centre cross on the right and Dan Abram added the conversion and this was followed four minutes later when the ball was passed quickly to the left and Max Roberts powered over to score with Abram on target again. Doncaster hit back in the nineth minute when Ben Johnston sent a kick towards the right corner and winger Tom Halliday won the foot race to score in the corner, but Connor Robinson could not add the conversion from the touchline.

The third try came on sixteen minutes when the impressive Louis Brogan crashed over by the posts and Doncaster half back Johnston seemed to argue with the officials, and he was shown a straight red card by referee James Vella and Abram again made no mistake with the conversion. Ben Mathiou the on-loan Doncaster prop had a good chance on twenty-three minutes, but he spilled the ball ten metres out from the Lions line and put the Lions back on the attack and within a minute Roberts crossed for his second try after a break down the left again the conversion was good. Jason Tali hit back with the second Doncaster try within a minute after a good break by Halliday with Robinson converting.

Matty Wilkinson was next to score after some good build up play down the right by Jack Hansen and Jayden Hatton with another true conversion from Abram and with three minutes to go to the break Hatton scored a fine individual try on the final tackle when he kicked the ball through the defence and managed to regather and was being chased down and ankle tapped just short of the line but managed to keep the ball up to score in the corner and if there had been a crossbar challenge Abram would have won the prize but it was his only failure of the afternoon with the boot.

The Lions almost opened the scoring in the first minute of the second half when Abram raced clear down the right with Wilkinson in support on the inside and he passed the ball to the supporting player and as the Doncaster fullback came in for the tackle the ball was passed on to Hansen, but the final pass was judged forward. It was Hansen who scored the next try after a break again by Abram and he scored under the posts, and this too was converted. Next to score was Nick Gregson who sold a few dummies to the Doncaster defence before scoring under the posts and again converted, the next came to Rhodri Lloyd after the ball passed through quite a few sets of hands and he scored a converted try on the right. The tenth try came with eleven minutes left when Richard Lepori managed to stay out of touch with a run down the line finishing with the ball being put down under the posts and another simple conversion. Robbie Storey added a consolation for his side with six minutes left and converted by Robinson and in the last-minute Hansen scored his second crossing under the posts and Abram added his tenth conversion of the afternoon.

TEAM

Abram, Butt, Roberts, J.Hatton, Lepori, Gregson, Hansen, Meadows, Waterworth, Brogan, Lloyd, Cox, Case. SUBS: Wilkinson, Spencer, Kenga, Charnock.

Tries: J.Hatton (2,37), Roberts (6,24), Brogan (16), Wilkinson (34), Hansen (48,79), Gregson (61), Lloyd (66), Lepori (69).

Goals: Abram 10/11

Pens: 5-5 , Half-time: 10-34 , Referee: James Vella , Attendance: 1015