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PREVIEW: SWINTON LIONS v LEIGH MINERS RANGERS

21 February 2020

Check out the match preview as Swinton Lions host Leigh Miners in the fourth-round of the Challenge Cup.

Swinton Lions host local side Leigh Miners in the fourth-round of the Challenge Cup on Saturday after last weekend’s defeat away to Batley Bulldogs. 

In last season’s competition Swinton were beaten 38-14 by fellow Championship club Featherstone Rovers in the fourth-round.

The Lions are three-time Challenge Cup winners, but haven’t progressed past the fourth round since 2017.

Although, Stuart Littler will be expecting to progress in the same round this time out as they face a side two divisions below them. 

https://twitter.com/Swinton_Lions/status/1112807766220005378?s=20

FORM GUIDE

Swinton are in sixth place in the Betfred Championship having beat Whitehaven and lost to Batley in their opening two league games. 

Swinton’s visitors on Saturday are amateur club Leigh Miners Rangers and they play in the National Conference Division 1.

Their league season hasn’t started but they have already successfully navigated their way through three rounds of the Challenge Cup, beating Stanningley SARLC, Upton ARLFC and Bentley ARLFC on their road to this tie. 

FIRST MEETING 

The sides have never met before in a competitive game but there are strong links between the clubs. 

Swinton’s Head Coach Stuart Littler and assistant Head Coach Alan Coleman previously played for Leigh Miners, so it will be a special reunion for them. 

Because of the close links between the clubs, both Frankie Halton and Louis Brogan have left Leigh Miners for Swinton in the last couple of years. The clubs also trained together in the off season at the AJ Bell Stadium, so it really will be a friendly rivalry between the players on Saturday afternoon. 

However, the Rangers won’t want to end their strong run in the competition and Swinton will see it as a great opportunity against a lower league side to progress. 

TICKET INFO

Ticket are available on the gate at Heywood Road and priced as follows:

Adults: £13

Concessions: £10

Juniors: £1

TEAM NEWS

Stuart Littler makes one change to his squad from the defeat to Batley Bulldogs, as Billy Brickhill is replaced by Ben Heyes.

LIONS SQUAD TO FACE RANGERS: Gavin Bennion, Louis Brogan, Tayler Brown, Mike Butt, Mitch Cox, Rob Fairclough, Sam Grant, Frankie Halton, Jack Hansen, Lewis Hatton, Ben Heyes, Will Hope, Paddy Jones, Jose Kenga, Richard Lepori, Rhodri Lloyd, Ben Morris, Deane Meadows, Oscar Thomas, Luke Waterworth, Brandon Wood.

RANGERS SQUAD TO FACE LIONS: Adam Thomason, Andy Badrock, Andy Philbin, Brandon Tickle, Calum Coleman, Danny Griffiths, Darryl Kay, Harry Darby, Jack Kennedy, Joe Connor, Jonny Carroll, Lee Hudson, Lewis Grimes, Liam Kenyon, Matty McGeown, Owen Johnson, Rob Crompton, Ryan Horne, Sam Grainey, Tom Worthington.

Written by Harry Dunnett

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