You Live and Learn

The disappointment on Andy Thornley's face during his LionsTV postmatch interview said it all. The Lions captain could barely find the words to express how gutted he was to have lost against Bradford.

It was a thoroughly disappointing outcome from a very emotional match. Bradford came with a huge crowd, proving why Championship clubs didn't want them relegated and why Super League clubs want them back in the top flight. A big crowd always raises the temperature and with a history of cards between the sides last season it was always likely to flare up at some point.

Bradford played well and ultimately deserved the win though the game undoubtedly turned on a five minute spell after Swinton had levelled the scores. On the second carry after the equalising goal Swinton were penalised for a play the ball (PTB) offence. The ball didn't touch the boot so the referee was right to give a penalty. Except, if we reviewed the footage of every game in the country last weekend you'd see hundreds (thousands?) of identical PTBs and no more than a handful would have been penalised. You have to question the selective nature of such a decision. Key moment in the game and right in front of the posts guaranteeing two points for Bradford. Why did Mr Sweet suddenly decide that was the moment to take a stand on sloppy PTBs?

After that things got out of hand and frustration got the better of both teams with Swinton first reduced to 12 men and then 11 with Bradford also losing a player following a huge punch up.

All fans and players ask for is consistency among officials. I thought the referee of the London Broncos game did an excellent job and allowed the game to flow resulting in an outstanding game with both teams going all out to score points. The first 40 minutes in particular was played at a phenomenal pace and was one of the most enjoyable first halves I can recall.

The game is one the Lions can learn a lot from. The way they lost a grip on the game after working so hard to get back in was disappointing. They can probably count themselves unlucky for the PTB decision though having been given a penalty a few minutes earlier when a Bradford player tried to con the referee by throwing himself to the floor at the PTB they should have known he'd look to even it up. The sin-binning of Jack Higginson looked harsh but was reportedly for dissent rather than a questionable high tackle. Referees will always be swayed by big clubs and big crowds, you just have to accept it.

The big punch up came moments later and this was where Bradford really were clever. They had a penalty for another high tackle in front of the posts. The penalty had been given and that seemed to be that until a couple of Bradford players sprinted in brandishing handbags. They knew a punch up would likely see Swinton down at least another man. It was smart play and we fell for it. One apiece went off and Bradford exploited a stretched Lions line to kill the game off.

It all happened so quickly. One minute the scores were level and the next the game was over. The experience will do the team good. It is a very young Swinton team and they will learn from the mistakes made last Sunday.

On a more positive note, Shaun Robinson's good form is most pleasing. He's a terrific finisher as he demonstrated with an excellent try in the first half against Bradford. Robbo didn't score as many tries as he'd have liked last season with more of Swinton's good play coming down the other side where Hallett and Marshall had strong performances. But he's always been a fierce competitor and is immensely popular with supporters as a result. Another try or two against Featherstone would go some way to helping us get over the Bradford game.

In many ways Featherstone are a club we should look at and try to emulate. The way they've competed at the top end of the Championship for many years while developing Post Office Road into a fine stadium is admirable. It will be a tough game with Fev coming to Heywood Road unbeaten and having battered us twice last year. Having competed well against London, then played in atrocious conditions at Dewsbury before that tight game against a rejuvenated Bradford, you could argue this game is the first real yardstick of where we are at as a team.

Hopefully Rhodri Llloyd and Matt Sarsfield will be available for selection and the growing support can cheer on a first home win of the season.

Come on you Lions.

Pics: Pete Green

No Guts, No Glory

Remember when rugby was played in the summer? Wasn't it great? Dry pitches, few beers in the sun, shorts and flip flops. Eeey those were't days.

What a win. We know what John Duffy's team can do in good conditions and as the season goes on I'm sure we'll see more of the sparkling stuff we saw glimpses of against London. This was a victory from a bygone era. The mud even makes the video look like it's shot in black and white.

Last season's trips to Dewsbury saw a couple of poorly disciplined performances in which the Lions were bullied by a bigger pack. Even in  better conditions they couldn't stand up to Dewsbury's power play. The secret to success is learning from failure. Swinton have done that.

In atrocious conditions which frankly do the sport no favours and lend weight to calls to start the season later in the year, Swinton put it all on the line and were richly rewarded. This is what the preseason slog is all about.

With every week that passes I feel the bond between fans and players growing. How can you not fall in love with these lads? They wear the Lion with genuine pride and seek to improve individually and collectively. 

It made me chuckle in the week to see Ben Austin describing himself as a senior player. If any player typifies this team it is Austin. About a third of the way through the 2015 season, LionsTV was at training to record some interviews. At the end of the session as the players were heading home John Duffy called over those who hadn't been regulars in the team to thank them for their commitment and tell them if they kept working hard they'd get a chance. One of those players was Ben Austin. He fought into the team and was integral to the play-off final victory. He's been virtually ever-present since then. When the youngsters from Folly and other local teams come down to games, I hope they will look at his example.

So, pats on the back all round. The culture of improvement and learning on and off the pitch continues and will stand us in good stead for the season. Now let's pack out Heywood Road and make some noise for the Bradford game. Despite two defeats they'll bring a noisy following with them as they look to get off the mark. 

Come on you Lions.

Pictures: Pete Green

You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet

Pictures: Pete Green

Sport can be cruel. It doesn't matter how well you play or how long you lead for. All that counts is the score when the final whistle blows. Sunday's results were hard to take for Swinton Lions and my NFL team the Atlanta Falcons. Both led for the majority of their respective games but fell behind at the death.

But out of defeat comes strength and the opportunity to learn. Both sides are young enough to see the benefit of the experience. This was not last throw of the dice stuff. For Swinton, the defeat to London Broncos only hinted at greater things to come.

After winning three from three in preseason confidence was high among Lions fans and you could feel the crowd really buying into the team after they raced into an early lead. The first half at Heywood Road was as good an advert for rugby league as you could wish to see. The game was played at a frenetic pace but the quality was high and John Duffy's team dominated.

Having lost Connor Dwyer to the sin-bin, you could have expected Swinton to struggle for ten minutes midway through the half but they carried on like nothing had happened. Such was the confidence in the side, they pushed for quick scores even when there were opportunities to run the clock down. It was thrilling stuff.

Over the last couple of years the Lions have become known for exciting play in attack but weaknesses in defence were regularly exposed last season. Hard work over an extended preseason coupled with some quality additions to the squad look to have improved things in that area. London struggled to make any headway at times although they did have some success attacking the Swinton right wing.

In the end full-time fitness was the difference. As the game wore on Swinton perhaps paid the price for that whirlwind opening and former favourite Andy Ackers began to find space behind the ruck. The loss of Sean Kenny to injury meant Josh Barlow, back in the side after missing all the pre-season games, had to play more minutes than he looked ready for and the decisive moments saw Ackers very smartly exploit the opportunity. Fair play to London, they ground it out but it was hard on the home side.

The most exciting thing is that this wasn't Swinton at their best. They took a full-time side and one of the favourites for the division to the wire without firing on all cylinders. It was a good performance no doubt but there are areas for improvement.

During the first half in particular the Lions looked vulnerable down the right where the prolific Rhys Williams was a threat all game. Shaun Robinson found himself outnumbered a few times, notably making a try-saving intervention with a rush off the line to shut down an overlap.

As the game wore on and the Lions tired, they started making errors which put them under pressure. Soft penalties really hurt them although on a couple of occasions the officials appeared to get it wrong. Dwyer must have upset the referee with his first half holding down offence because when he clearly had the ball ripped from his grasp in the tackle the referee gave a knock on!

Anyway, what's done is done and Dewsbury are the next hurdle and a litmus test of how far Swinton have come. The Rams won all three of the encounters between the two last season with the performances at Crown Flatt being especially disappointing. Dewsbury will have a point to prove after taking a real walloping off Rochdale in their opener so the Lions will have to be prepared for a backlash. If a top four push is to happen, games like this have to see two points coming back across the Pennines. A good win would set things up nicely for the visit of Bradford and hopefully a bumper crowd at Heywood Road.

Come on you Lions.

Swinton Lions 2017 Squad: Part Five

The Kingstone Press Championship season kicks off on Sunday at Heywood Road with London Broncos the visitors. Part five of the squad review completes the Swinton squad which is aiming high.

Luke Waterworth is well known to Lions supporters after joining on loan from Wigan in 2016 following the injury to Anthony Nicholson. Yet another product of the Wigan Academy system, the young hooker made his Super League debut in March last year prior to that move to Swinton.

Waterworth's attitude and desire to improve since joining has impressed John Duffy and that has been reflected by a clear increase in confidence. In pre-season Waterworth has largely shared the hooker role with Sean Kenny.

The fourth hooker in the Swinton squad is Josh Houghton. Like Waterworth, Houghton comes from Super League stock with St Helens and Widnes and at 20-years-old is another young prospect hoping to make a name for himself with the Lions.

Described as a playmaker from acting half, Houghton didn't see a lot of action in pre-season and will be keen to impress in training as he competes for a place in the side with Waterworth, Sean Kenny, and Anthony Nicholson.

Completing the squad is 19-years-old Adam Jones. A back row forward, Jones joins from Salford where he was a member of the under-19s squad. Jones will be looking to develop in a tough environment and learn from more experienced players in the squad.

Swinton Lions 2017 Squad: Part Four

With three wins from three in pre-season and the first league game just over a week away time to continue looking at the Lions' 2017 squad. This piece covers numbers 17-21.

Oliver (Olly) Davies comes with an excellent pedigree from St Helens for whom he made two Super League appearances.

Davies plays second row but looks to have enough size to play as a prop in the future. While with the Saints, Davies reached the Under-19s grand final where a Wigan side containing Luke Waterworth, Liam Marshall and Gabriel Fell triumphed 22-10.

John Duffy has a good record recruiting young second row forwards from Super League academy and reserve level. Connor Dwyer and Ben Austin both joined in similar circumstances and the pair will offer Davies strong competition for a place in the side this season.

Ben Austin has become a reliable member of the squad since joining in 2015. Like Davies he came through the Super League academy, in his case at Wigan where he played in the pack alongside Rob Lever and former Lion Grant Beecham.

Austin wasn't a fixture in the team early on in the 2015 season but fought his way into the side and certainly improved throughout the year culminating in an excellent display in the play-off final victory over Keighley.

Last year Austin was almost ever-present in the matchday squad and continues to improve as he becomes more experienced. Though his heart has never been questioned, some fans have suggested his size is an issue but Austin looks bigger and better in pre-season and is sure to be an important player in 2017.

Happy to play the role of pantomime villain with opposition supporters, Josh Barlow is well liked among Lions fans. His commitment and determination is visible in every game he plays and while his reputation sometimes goes against him with referees, Barlow's discipline improved as last season went on.

After signing for Wigan as a teenager, Barlow was unable to break into the first team and spent time in Australia and at Huddersfield before signing for his hometown club Halifax for the 2011 season.

Barlow signed for Swinton after two years with 'Fax and played in the second row in 2013 and 2014 as the club were relegated to League One. Barlow's performances were enough to earn a move to Dewsbury but injury halted his progress and he made a return to the Lions midway through the 2015 season.

The highlight of his 2015 season was undoubtedly charging down a Keighley drop-goal attempt in the dying seconds of the play-off final as Swinton won promotion to the Championship.

Last year Barlow found himself as stand-in hooker, a role he'd played early on in his career, following the injury to Anthony Nicholson. It looks unlikely the Scotland international will be used in that role in 2017 though with greater depth in that area so he has a real fight on his hands for a spot in the second row. After missing the pre-season games to attend a wedding in Australia, Barlow is playing catch up with the rest of the team.

Sean Kenny has been one of the stars of pre-season for Swinton. His energetic style has helped keep the Lions on the front foot in all three wins.

Coming through the academy system at Warrington, it was at the relatively late age of 21 that Kenny made his Super League debut after signing for Salford. His spell at Salford at the back end of last season helped the Red Devils preserve their Super League status with Kenny featuring in the famous Million Pound Game win which relegated Hull KR.

Kenny is a big signing for the Lions and will be looking to get back into Super League through strong performances in the Championship.

A graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University, it was Mike Butt's exploits in the student game which earned him an opportunity at Swinton in 2015.

Butt has been used as both full-back and winger in his time with the Lions and scored a try in the promotion play-off in 2015. Though he's not always been first choice, Butt has been a reliable squad player and has developed a lot over the last 18 months.

The try against Wigan in the final pre-season game was a demonstration of his speed and finishing skills and Butt will be ready to grasp any opportunities which come his way in 2017.

Swinton Lions 2017 Squad: Part Three

With the season just over two weeks away we continue to assess the Swinton Lions squad which is aiming to make the top four in the Championship.

Second-row Matt Sarsfield is an impressive addition to John Duffy's squad and comes with a fine try-scoring record.

Sarsfield played for England Schoolboys against Australia as a youngster and was on Wigan's books before moving to Huddersfield. Unable to make a breakthrough with the Giants, he gained gametime with a loan at Dewsbury in 2011.

But it was in 2013 that the mobile forward made a name for himself with a loan spell with the Lions. His try-scoring exploits playing at the Lions' temporary home Leigh Sports Village impressed the locals sufficiently to earn a move to the Centurions.

In 2014 Sarsfield was a regular as Leigh won the Championship by beating Featherstone in the Grand Final at Headingley. Unfortunately the following season injury struck and Sarsfield could only watch on as Leigh defended the Championship crown but fell short in their promotion bid.

After his release from Leigh Sarsfield joined Salford for 2016 but couldn't win a regular place in the side. He had a successful loan stint at Halifax where he scored seven tries in just nine appearances.

Sarsfield's signature is a major coup for Swinton and he's already demonstrating in pre-season what fans can look forward to this year.

Andy Thornley is another Swinton player with Wigan connections. He came through the Wigan system but didn't break into the first team. It was for Salford whom he made a try-scoring Super League debut against St Helens in 2009. Thornley won further experience with a loan at Whitehaven where he impressed enough to become a regular in 2010.

in 2011 'Chest' signed for Leigh where he became a staple of the side for three seasons. In 2014 Thornley lost his place in the Centurions side and had a loan spell with Swinton. Towards the end of the season he was handed a ban for breaching RFL betting rules and couldn't play again until midway through the 2015 season.

Thornley signed for Swinton and over the last 18 months has become Mr Reliable for John Duffy's side as they won promotion from League One and secured their place in the Championship. Thornley rarely has a poor game and his consistency makes him a contender to be club captain for the 2017 season.

The Saddleworth Rangers junior came through the Leeds academy and he made his Super League debut for the Rhinos in 2014 against the London Broncos. White spent time on loan at Gloucester All Golds before being released by Leeds at the end of 2014.

He signed for Swinton and immediately became first choice half-back, eventually forming a good partnership with Chris Atkin. The highlight of the season for White was a last second drop-goal to equalise against York City Knights and send the game into golden point extra time. Of course the Lions went on to win that game and secure promotion by beating Keighley in the play-off final. White performances earned him wider recognition as he was nominated for League One Player of the Year for 2015.

Last season the White/Atkin axis continued as Swinton avoided relegation. With the addition of Grant Gore into the squad White faces serious competition for a starting place in the team.

Andy Bracek is the experienced head in what is largely a young pack. He made his professional debut way back in 2004 for St Helens but made a name for himself at Warrington where he made 61 appearances between 2005 and 2008.

After leaving the Wolves Bracek signed for Barrow who at the time were a strong Championship outfit. In 2009 he played a big part as the Raiders won the Championship Grand Final and reached the Northern Rail Cup final.

Strong form in Cumbria earned Bracek another crack at Super League with the doomed Crusaders in 2011. That year also brought one of the highlights of his career playing for Wales in the Four Nations.

A return to Barrow who by this point were in decline meant dropping into League One for the first time in his career. But Bracek was offered a way out by Halifax in 2013. He made 88 appearances over three seasons at The Shay where he became a favourite because of his never-say-die attitude and aggressive tackling.

Last season after finding opportunities diminishing in Richard Marshall's side, Bracek was loaned to Swinton, a move which became permanent after a string of strong displays. After losing Mike Morrison last season the Lions are reliant on Bracek's experience, especially when the going is tough.

Anthony Bate played his amateur rugby at Thatto Heath before joining Leigh. The second-row forward made his debut for the Centurions in 2013 and made plenty of appearances for the club, mainly coming off the bench. Bate scored a try in the 2013 Northern Rail Cup win over Sheffield which he describes as the highlight of his career so far.

As Leigh continued to invest in their squad Bate's appearances became less frequent and he moved to Barrow in 2015 where he became a mainstay of the side in League One alongside fellow new recruit Chris Hankinson. Bate faces a lot of competition for a place in the side, the Lions have plenty of options in the second row, but he's made a good start to pre-season scoring his first try for the club against North Wales Crusaders.

Swinton Lions 2017 Squad: Part Two

We continue to look at the squad Swinton Lions coach John Duffy has put together for the new season. In this instalment we look at squad numbers 6-10.

Former Widnes half-back Grant Gore arrives with a reputation as a dangerous kicker and strong in defence.

Wigan-born Gore started at Widnes where he won Academy Player of the Year in 2010 and made his professional debut in 2011. But it wasn't until 2013 when he found more regular playing time with loans to Workington and South Wales as well as Super League experience with the Vikings.

Gore's real breakthrough though came in 2015 with a loan spell at Whitehaven. After crossing for seven tries in 23 games, the Cumbrian side made the move permanent. Last season Gore was a fixture in the side as Haven were relegated, his last try coming against the Lions on the final day of the season.

The stand-off needs no introduction to Lions supporters having made a huge impact at the club over the last few seasons.

Another graduate of the Widnes academy system, Atkin played for England Students at the 2013 Student World Cup whilst studying at Liverpool John Moores University.

The following year he signed for Swinton and managed eight tries in 13 appearances as the Lions were relegated from the Championship. Those performances impressed John Duffy enough to earn another contract and Atkin had a 2015 to remember. Early in the season he set a club record by hitting 13 goals and scoring 34 points in a Challenge Cup game against London Skolars, a record that was beaten just a few weeks later by Ian Mort!

After starting the season at full-back, Atkin made the stand-off position his own and in the play-offs he was to earn himself a place in Swinton history with two crucial drop-goals. First he scored the golden point which saw off York in the semi-final. And then in the final at Widnes, Atkin again scored a match-winning drop goal to see off Keighley 29-28.

Last season his reputation continued to grow with opposition coaches regularly earmarking him as a threat. Atkin won Lions Player of the Year for 2016 and showed his knack for dramatic moments again by setting up a last minute Stuart Littler try and then converting to win a vital two points at Sheffield in the Championship Shield.

Rob Lever came through the Wigan academy where he won Young Player of the Year in 2013. His professional debut though was for South Wales and he also gained experience with a loan to Workington in 2014.

Unable to break into the Wigan side, Lever came to Swinton in 2015 on an initial loan. He made an immediate impact with his big hits rushing out of the line popular among supporters. Lever won Lions Young Player of the Year as he helped the team to promotion with an excellent display in the play-off final.

John Duffy wasted no time in signing Lever who can play anywhere in the pack following his release from Wigan at the end of the 2015 season.

Competition for places throughout the team looks strong and nowhere is that more true than at hooker. The number 9 shirt has been given to Anthony Nicholson who will be keen to have a good year after injury disrupted his first season at the club.

Nicholson has experience touring Australia with GB Community Lions under-18s and spent time in the Wigan set-up playing for the under-20s. After moving to Leigh, the hooker made his debut in 2010 but couldn't nail down a starting spot in the team. Following a loan at Barrow in 2013, Nicholson moved to Batley in search of first team rugby.

His two seasons with the Bulldogs were spent mostly as change hooker and in 2016 he re-united with former Leigh team-mate John Duffy at Swinton. Unfortunately for Nicholson his debut season with the Lions ended early due to a bad injury and he played his last game at the start of June.

Another player who endured an injury-hit first season with the Lions is prop-forward Jordan Hand.

A product of the St Helens academy, Hand made his Super League debut in 2013 and gained further first team experience with loans at Rochdale and Whitehaven.

The following season Hand gained more extensive Championship experience with a return to Whitehaven before Wakefield gave him another taste of top flight rugby in 2015.

In 2016 Hand joined Swinton and won fans with his aggressive style and strong defence. An injury midway through the campaign hampered his progress and he'll be looking for a strong 2017 as a key part of a young pack.

Coming soon: Numbers 11-15

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