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PREVIEW: SWINTON LIONS V WIDNES VIKINGS

03 May 2019

Swinton Lions return to Heywood Road after their clash with the Wolfpack in Toronto to host Widnes Vikings in the Betfred Championship.

Swinton Lions host Widnes Vikings at a busy Heywood Road this Sunday, celebrating Past Players Day plus more.

The Lancashire Trophy will be of attendance at Heywood Road this weekend, as the Lions return to Heywood Road following their clash with Toronto Wolfpack in Canada in-front of a Championship-record breaking crowd.

The day will also see the Past Players Celebrations, whilst the current squad will wear the commemorative shirt for the first time.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the clash…

FORM GUIDE

Swinton Lions currently sit 11th in the Betfred Championship table, and enjoyed a defeat over their oldest opponents in Rochdale Hornets in the Good Friday derby. Four tries from Mike Butt helped lead the Lions to victory, as well as tries from Oscar Thomas, Liam Forsyth and Gavin Bennion.

Stuart Littler’s side most recently travelled to Toronto to face the Wolfpack at Lamport Stadium in their opening home game of the season. Almost 10,000 were in attendance, breaking records in the Championship, with the Lions squad and faithful receiving heaps of praise across social media.

Swinton also recently signed Salford Red Devils powerful forward Adam Lawton on an initial one-month loan, who could make his debut this Sunday for the Lions.

Widnes Vikings currently sit 13th, with seven wins in the league. Their last win came against Leigh Centurions in April, whilst they recently lost in a tense battle with Dewsbury Rams, with Liam Finn’s boot being the difference as the Rams claimed a 25-24 win.

READ: LIONS VS VIKINGS – WHAT’S ON AT THE GROUND

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Lions’ last home victory against the Vikings was a 44-11 Division One win at Gigg Lane, Bury, on 21 June, 1998.

Swinton’s last victory against the Vikings was a 34-12 Division One away win on 15 July, 1998.

The last time the two side met was back in 2010 in the Norther Rail Cup round four, with Widnes taking a 36-12 victory to progress to the next stage.

Talented youngster Matty Ashton has scored four tries in his last two appearances for the Lions, including a hat-trick against Batley Bulldogs.

Widnes utility back Jack Owens also scored a hat-trick in the Vikings’s last fixture, taking him to over 500 points in 79 appearances for his club.

TEAM NEWS

Rob Fairclough returns to the 19-man squad following a head-injury against Batley Bulldogs, whilst Adam Lawton could make his debut for the Lions this Sunday.

LIONS SQUAD TO FACE VIKINGS: Harry Aaronson, Matty Ashton, Gavin Bennion, Billy Brickhill, Mike Butt, Rob Fairclough, Frankie Halton, Jack Hansen, Paddy Jones, Adam Jones, Jose Kenga, Adam Lawton, Rhodri Lloyd, Liam Paisley, Kyle Shelford, Harry Smith, Oscar Thomas, Luke Waterworth, Jack Wells.

VIKINGS SQUAD TO FACE LIONS: Keanan Brand, Hep Cahill, Jay Chapelhow, Ted Chapelhow, Danny Craven, Chris Dean, Sam Freeman, Owen Farnworth, Jayden Hatton, Jordan Johnstone, Macgraff Leuluai, Joe Lyons, Dan Norman, Jack Owens, Lloyd Roby, Dan Speakman, Brad Walker, Liam Walsh, Sam Wilde.

 

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