Swinton Lions secure promotion back to the Championship

Drew Darbyshire
Rhodri Lloyd Swinton Lions SWpix

Photo: Tom Pearson/SWpix

Swinton Lions clinched promotion back to the Championship with a 16-10 win over Doncaster in the League 1 promotion play-off final at Heywood Road.

Allan Coleman’s side will be back in the second tier in 2023, joining fellow League 1 side Keighley Cougars, who had already achieved promotion after winning every single game of the season.

The Lions have secured promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking, having suffered relegation in 2021.

It was Doncaster who opened the scoring at Swinton through powerhouse centre Jason Tali.

Swinton took the lead in the 21st minute after Jordan Case touched down, with Dan Abram converting to give his side a 6-4 lead.

Doncaster half-back Connor Robinson added a penalty goal to tie the score at 6-6 at half-time.

HT: Swinton Lions 6-6 Doncaster

Doncaster started the second half in fine fashion as Tom Halliday picked up a loose ball to score, but Robinson failed to convert.

Swinton fired back into the lead in the 67th minute. Former Wigan and Leigh forward Nick Gregson found his way through a gap to assist the supporting Mitch Cox. Abram’s conversion saw the Lions 12-10 in front with 13 minutes remaining.

And Swinton’s promotion to the Championship was confirmed on the full-time hooter as Jack Hansen crossed the whitewash to seal a 16-10 for the hosts.

Swinton: Abram; Butt, Roberts, Hatton, Lepori; Gregson, Hansen; Brogan, Wilkinson, Case, Lloyd, Cox, Charnock. Subs: Holroyd, Hope, Spencer, Hatton.

Tries: Case, Abram, Hansen Goals: Abram 2

Doncaster: Taulapapa; Halliday, Storey, Tali, Corion; Johnston, Robinson; Holdstock, Burns, Wilkinson, Smeaton, Ryan, McConnell. Subs: Boas, Fella, Foster, Petersen.

Tries: Tali, Halliday Goals: Robinson 1

Relegated Championship clubs Dewsbury and Workington will swap places with Keighley and Swinton in 2023.

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