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PREVIEW: LEIGH CENTURIONS V SWINTON LIONS

04 August 2019

The Lions return to action after the semi-finals of both the Challenge Cup and 1895 Cup, and take on Leigh Centurions at the Leigh Sports Village.

Swinton Lions travel to the Leigh Sports Village to take on Leigh Centurions in round 23 of the Betfred Championship.

Centurions currently sit 4th in the Championship table and look to cement their play-off place, whilst the Lions are looking up and sit 9th.

Here’s the latest preview…

FORM GUIDE

Stuart Littler’s side are unbeaten in their last four fixtures, most recently claiming a 30-12 victory over Barrow Raiders at Heywood Road.

Matty Ashton, Frankie Halton, Rhodri Lloyd, Mike Butt and Harry Smith all crossed for four-pointers, whilst Jack Hansen continued his form by kicking five goals.

In recent weeks, the Lions have also claimed victories over Batley Bulldogs and Rochdale Hornets, whilst fighting out a 34-34 draw at Odsal Stadium against a strong Bradford Bulls outfit.

Leigh Centurions featured in the semi-finals of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup against Widnes Vikings in one of the games of the competition, and only just missed out on a final spot and a trip to Wembley, with the visitors claiming a 12-8 victory. The Vikings will face Sheffield Eagles, after their triumph over Batley Bulldogs.

Leigh’s attention will now return to the league and a fight for promotion, with John Duffy’s side just a point behind second-placed York City Knights.

The Centurions have four wins in their last six fixtures, including victories over Batley and Sheffield.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

History favours the hosts, having won their last fourteen meetings with the Club.

The Lions’ last victory against the Centurions was an 18-14 Northern Rail Cup win at Hilton Park on 26 March, 2006.

The two sides last met in March in the Betfred Championship at Heywood Road, with a close battle going in the way of the Centurions.

The game started with plenty of excitement from the players, resulting in a double sin-bin within the first minute, with the fixture ending 30-12 to Leigh.

Try-scoring expert Matty Ashton crossed for a double on the day.

TEAM NEWS

Former Lion Chris Hankinson joins the side on dual-registration from Wigan Warriors, alongside teammates Craig Mullen and Jack Shorrocks.

Nick Gregson remains in the squad following his second debut, whilst Scott Moore is also named after suffering a slight injury against Bradford.

LIONS SQUAD TO FACE CENTURIONS: Ashton, Brickhill, Butt, Fairclough, Gray, Gregson, Halton, Hankinson, Hansen, Hatton, P.Jones, Kenga, Kibula, Lloyd, Moore, Morris, Mullen, Shorrocks, Waterworth.

CENTURIONS SQUAD TO FACE LIONS: McNally, I.Thornley, Ridyard, Brooks, A.Thornley, Cator, Cox, Laithwaite, Forsyth, Douglas, Hood, Clark, Emmitt, Paterson, Higson, Brierley, Sa’u, Costello, Eaves.

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