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PREVIEW: SWINTON LIONS V ROCHDALE HORNETS

19 April 2019

The Lions return to action after a well-needed week off for the big Good Friday derby against Rochdale Hornets.

Swinton Lions host Rochdale Hornets at Heywood Road in a massive Good Friday derby.

With the rivalry dating back to 1871, Rochdale are the oldest opponents in the history of the Lions.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the fixture…

FORM GUIDE

Both sides enter the fixture with one win each so far in the season, with Swinton’s first victory of the competition coming against Barrow Raiders at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium.

An impressive second-half performance, led by halfback Harry Smith, saw the Lions take a 33-26 victory, with tries from Liam Forsyth, Mike Butt, Jack Hansen, Gavin Bennion and Liam Paisley.

Most recently, Swinton came close to defeating in-form York City Knights in an entertaining fixture at Bootham Crescent before enjoying a well-needed break as the fifth round of the Challenge Cup took place.

The Hornets claimed their first win of the season against Barrow Raiders, with a 20-8 victory in round 5 of the Betfred Championship.

Rochdale also progressed to the fifth round of the Challenge Cup, defeating Whitehaven in round four before facing tough opponents in Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium, with the Super League side taking the win.

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HEAD-TO-HEAD

The two sides met four times during the 2018 season, with results finishing 2-2.

Swinton secured their first victory of the season during Blackpool’s Summer Bash, with tries from Luke Waterworth, George Tyson, Will Hope, Josh Woods and Liam Paisley in an entertaining afternoon by the seaside.

The teams clashed just the week after at Heywood Road, with the Hornets getting their revenge with a 18-25 defeat over Swinton.

Rochdale also claimed the league points at the Crown Oil Arena in July, whilst Swinton had the last laugh with a 23-18 win in the Championship Shield.

https://twitter.com/Swinton_Lions/status/1119170525790707712

TEAM NEWS

Frankie Halton, Adam Jones and Rob Fairclough return to the 19-man squad following injuries, with the trio a possible massive boost for Swinton.

Jack Wells joins again from Wigan Warriors after an impressive debut for the Lions against York City Knights, in which was his first game in 15-months following injuries.

LIONS TEAM TO FACE HORNETS: Harry Aaronson, Matty Ashton, Gavin Bennion, Billy Brickhill, Mike Butt, Rob Fairclough, Liam Forsyth, Frankie Halton, Jack Hansen, Lewis Hatton, Adam Jones, Paddy Jones, Jose Kenga, Rhodri Lloyd, Kyle Shelford, Oscar Thomas, Luke Waterworth, Jack Wells and Daley Williams.

HORNETS TEAM TO FACE LIONS: Tbc.

 

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