VIRTUAL PREVIEW: SWINTON LIONS v OLDHAM

22 March 2020

Check out the match preview for Swinton’s first ever virtual game against local rivals Oldham in a virtual friendly.

Swinton Lions face local rivals Oldham in a virtual Grand Final that will be streamed on both Swinton’s and Oldham’s twitter at 3pm on Sunday. 

The Coronavirus may be disrupting our everyday lives and has halted the Rugby League season but thanks to the wonders of virtual gaming and simulation, Swinton Lions fans can still be excited to watch their team play this Sunday afternoon.

That’s right, rugby will carry on with an unorthodox virtual game against Oldham, the first game of potentially many more, with several other clubs already showing an interest in taking part. 

We don’t know when we will next get to go see our Lions play in the flesh, but we all need something to keep us occupied in these testing times and well what else is there to do on Sunday afternoons other than watching rugby? 

All you have to do is download Twitter if you haven’t already got it, follow Swinton Lions’ social accounts and look out for a post about how you can watch the game as it’s being live streamed – it’s that simple. 

FORM GUIDE

https://twitter.com/Swinton_Lions/status/1240389398031749121?s=20

Swinton have started the season with a win and two defeats in the league and a fifth round exit in the Challenge Cup after they fell just short after a spirited display away to Widnes Vikings last weekend. 

Whilst Oldham have played two games more than Swinton but also find themselves with just the one win in the league as they have found life back in the Championship difficult after their promotion last season.

They got knocked out of the Challenge Cup in the 4th round as they also fell victim to Widnes, but Widnes made much lighter work of Oldham. 

MATCH STATS

These sides last faced in 2017 when they were both last in the Championship together and the last meeting between the sides was a comfortable victory for the Lions at Heywood Road as they won 26-4. 

However, Oldham came out on top in the game earlier on in the campaign as they won 22-18 in a tight encounter. 

In the last five encounters between the sides, the matches have largely been close, with Swinton winning 3 and Oldham winning 2. 

So, who knows which way this virtual match will go but one things for sure, rugby is back and you don’t want to miss it. 

LAST 5 MEETINGS  

Swinton 26-4 Widnes (CHR16, 4/6/17)

Oldham 22-18 Swinton (CHR10, 14/4/17)

Oldham 26-24 Swinton (CHR21, 10/7/16)

Oldham 24-25 Swinton (CHR15, 29/5/16)

Swinton Lions 28-18 Oldham (CHR8, 28/4/16)

HELP LINE NUMBER

https://twitter.com/Swinton_Lions/status/1241084274238947331?s=20

As was announced on Friday via the video of head coach Stuart Littler assistant coach Alan Coleman on Facebook, The Lions are providing assistance to vulnerable people in the local area who are in self-isolation due to COVID-19. 

The number to call if you need support to help get through this difficult time is 07847091988. 

TEAM NEWS

Stuart Littler has named a strong squad for this massive virtual match-up against Oldham. 

LIONS SQUAD TO FACE OLDHAM RLFC: Gavin Bennion, Billy Brickhill, Mike Butt, Mitch Cox, Rob Fairclough, Sam Grant, Frankie Halton, Jack Hansen, Lewis Hatton, Will Hope, Richard Lepori, Rhodri Lloyd, Paddy Jones, Jose Kenga, Ben Morris, Oscar Thomas, Luke Waterwoth, Brandon Wood.