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PREVIEW: WIDNES VIKINGS V SWINTON LIONS

30 August 2019

Here’s the latest preview as the Lions return to action to face Widnes Vikings in the Betfred Championship.

Swinton Lions travel to Halton Stadium to face Widnes Vikings in round 26 of the Betfred Championship.

After a weekend off with the Challenge Cup final and 1895 final, Swinton return to action.

In the penultimate game of the season, the Lions travel to face Widnes Vikings in round 26 of the Betfred Championship.

Here’s the latest preview…

FORM GUIDE

The Lions enjoyed a weekend off for the Challenge Cup and 1895 Cup finals, with Warrington Wolves and Sheffield Eagles lifting the trophies retrospectively.

Previously, Stuart Littler’s side claimed an impressive 32-12 victory over Halifax in round 25, with tries from Richard Lepori, Craig Mullen, Mike Butt, Matty Ashton and Chris Hankinson.

The win saw the side go on joint-points with Halifax, and a victory over the Vikings could see the club move to eighth position in the Betfred Championship.

Kieron Purtill’s side featured in the first ever 1895 Cup final, following the Challenge Cup final at Wembley, but lost out to glory after an impressive second half from Sheffield Eagles saw the side lift the trophy with a 36-16 scoreline.

The Vikings sit 12th in the Betfred Championship, and a win could see the side go joint-points with Dewsbury on the ladder.

READ: ‘A STRONG FINISH IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US’

HEAD-TO-HEAD

History favours the hosts, as Widnes have won their last twelve meetings with Swinton. Swinton’s last victory against the Vikings was a 34-12 Division One away win on 15 July, 1998.

The two sides last met back in May, where the Club celebrated Past Player’s Day and the anniversary of the Lancashire Cup. The Club also launched the special commemorative shirt, in which they played during the fixture and again at Blackpool’s Summer Bash.

It was the Vikings who took a 32-10 victory, with tries from Mike Butt and Matty Ashton for the Lions.

TEAM NEWS

Ben Morris and Deane Meadows both return to the 19-man squad, whilst Frankie Halton could also return to action after missing round 25 against Halifax RLFC.

Luke Waterworth will be rested after picking up a slight knock.

LIONS SQUAD TO FACE VIKINGS: Ashton, Bennion, Brickhill, Butt, Fairclough, Gray, Gregson, Halton, Hansen, Hatton, P.Jones, Kenga, Kibula, Lepori, Lloyd, Meadows, Morris, Mullen, Wells.

VIKINGS SQUAD TO FACE LIONS: Ah Van, Brand, Cahill, J.Chapelhow, T.Chapelhow, Craven, Dean, Dugdale, Ganson, Gelling, Gilmore, Hatton, Lyons, Norman, Owens, Robson, Roby, Walker, Wilde.

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