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PREVIEW: SWINTON LIONS VS YORK CITY KNIGHTS

21 June 2019

Here’s the latest preview as the Lions return to Heywood Road after their successful trip to Toulouse.

Swinton Lions return to Heywood Road this weekend to face in-form York City Knights in a guaranteed-thrilling encounter in the Betfred Championship.

The Lions return home on the back of a impressive victory over Toulouse in the South of France, and will face high-flying York City Knights in the Betfred Championship.

Swinton jumped to 10th in the league table, whilst York sit at the top end in fifth spot.

Here’s everything you need to know…

FORM GUIDE

The Lions return home after their successful trip to France against second-place Toulouse Olympique, claiming a 20-18 victory much to the surprise of rugby league fans.

Swinton became just the second team of the season to claim the two-league points at Stade Ernest Argelès, thanks to tries from Rhodri Lloyd, a hat-trick from Liam Paisley and a determined performance from the squad.

https://twitter.com/Swinton_Lions/status/1139915171940511746

Previously, the Lions also displayed a gusty performance against table-toppers Toronto Wolfpack at Heywood Road, with 1,281 in attendance on the day.

Stuart Littler strengthened his young side this week with the signing of former Super League and NRL hooker Scott Moore from Rochdale Hornets, who could make his debut for the Lions this weekend against York City Knights.

The Knights have three wins in their last five games in the Betfred Championship, including victories over Widnes Vikings and most recently a dominant 60-0 win over Rochdale Hornets at Bootham Crescent.

James Fords’s side sit at a comfortable fifth in the league table, with 11 wins so far this season, whilst they also progressed to the next round of the 1895 Cup with a 30-16 success over Newcastle Thunder.

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HEAD-TO-HEAD

The two sides last met earlier in the season in April at Booth Crescent, with a close victory claimed by the hosts despite a possible late comeback from the Lions.

Luke Waterworth crashed over for his first try of the season against the Knights, whilst Jack Hansen, Harry Smith and Liam Forsyth also crossed for four-pointers.

Swinton have won their last five home meetings against York, with the side’s last away victory back in 2010 at Park Lane, Sedgley Park with a close 48-42 scoreboard at full-time.

Swinton Lions and York City Knights also clashed in the 2015 Play-Offs, with the result going down to the wire.

A dramatic last-minute drop-goal from Ben White tied the scores in normal time, with the fixture decided in extra time as Chris Atkin secured a place in the Play-Off final for the Lions with a fantastic one-point effort to take the victory.

TEAM NEWS

Craig Mullen returns to Littler’s 19-man squad from dual-registration partners Wigan Warriors, whilst Liam Byrne and Jack Wells could also feature from the 2018 Super League champions.

Scott Moore is set to make his debut after joining the side this week, meanwhile Ryan Gray is also named in the squad returning from injury.

LIONS SQUAD TO FACE KNIGHTS: Ashton, Bennion, Brickhill, Butt, Byrne, Fairclough, Gray, Halton, Hansen, Hatton, P.Jones, Kenga, Kibula, Lepori, Lloyd, Moore, Mullen, Wells, Waterworth.

KNIGHTS SQUAD TO FACE LIONS: Tbc.

Fans travelling to the ground are advised that it is Manchester Day on Sunday June 23rd, so should keep an eye on social feeds and plan their trip ahead. 

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