Mr H - Complicated, but it we finish second, we can reach the final with just one win.
Google "Rugby League play-off formula" and all will be explained.
Spelly.
The simple (wrong word) equation is, that if we win our three remaining games of Hunslet at home tomorrow, hosting the 'Yeds next week, and then away to North Wales (in Warrington) a fortnight today, the runners-up spot will be ours, thus ensuring a (theoretically) more direct route to the final. So it's in our own hands.
Should that transpire, the hard work will then start, to see if we're to have the likes of the 'Dogs / Fev or Leythers / Toulouse / you mob, on our fixture list next term, rather than trips to the Duchy, and the Principality.
Time will tell, but meantime..............
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!
Spelly.
Lions 38-12 Hunslet this aft, and the first of the "must win all three remaining matches to finish second" safely negotiated.
They scored first, but we soon recovered, and at 26-6 at the break, it was pretty much game over.
Former Chemic Lewis Else, had his best game in a Swinton shirt, and Widnes loanee Brad Holroyd, was part of an almost length of the park move, by collecting one of their last tackle kicks, scorching summat like 40 metres up the wing, before drawing their full back, and passing inside to Richard Lepori, who then raced under the black dot to touch down.
Dan Abram was again faultless with the boot, banging over seven from seven.
So it's the 'Yeds next week, as we push for that slot on the ladder, just below Keighley.
Spelly.
One thing I forgot to mention yesterday was that Hunslet went the scenic route to Heywood Road, coz.................
They turned up at Sedgley Park first, only to be informed that we jumped ship from there a while ago!
It was their first trip to our (not so) new gaff, and didn't know we'd flitted!
They were still in situ at the correct venue by 1.45, so no great dramas!
Spelly.
Lions 35-6 Oldham this aft, and stage two of the "three must win games" safely negotiated.
They opened the scoring, but never really looked like doing so again, and with the Crusaders losing at Keighley, we're now second on points diff.
Huge match next week, with the runners-up spot up for grabs, when Murray's Mob host us at Victoria Park in Warrington.
A draw would suffice, but obviously we'd love to go into the play-offs on the back of a nice win, and if that comes to pass, we'd then have the luxury of a week off, and the (theoretical) easier route back to the middle tier, but...................
I'm taking nowt for granted, and just hope we can be professional until the end of the campaign, and next term, return to where we belong.
Spelly.
Biggest game of the season so far for us tomorrow, with the away-ish clash against the Crusaders, and that all-important second place on the ladder as the prize.
They did a job on us twice (league and cup) at Heywood Road, earlier in campaign, so an easy two points, it won't be, but I think our fans' expectation, has the "cautious optimism" ring to it.
If we can pull it off, the route to the final could then be one of just eighty minutes, as we strive to return from whence we came, in the middle tier.
It's a shorter journey for us than what it will be for the majority of the Welsh fans, so hopefully, we can turn that to our advantage, and come away from Victoria Park, with a precious win!
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spelly.
I hope all goes well for you later today, Spelly. 👍
I hope all goes well for you later today, Spelly. 👍
Thanks mate!
Crusaders 12-38 Lions this aft, and the third episode of the "We need to win the next three games" scenario negotiated, again with a bit to spare, meaning second spot is secured, together with the luxury of next week off, and the chance for some bumps and bruises to mend.
Not the best of starts though, as we were 12-0 astray early doors, courtesy of two kicks. The first, we allowed the ball to bounce, which their lad gratefully grabbed, and touched down. Then not long after, we were outjumped, and they doubled their lead, but...........
From then on, we (more than) bossed the proceedings, going in at the break 20-12 to the good, and winning the second half 18-0.
Good following for us there, at around 250, who made plenty of noise, and came away smiling broadly.
A few Chemics were there as well.
To make things even better (but I'm sure you mob won't agree) Wire did the biz at Pinksville.
Spelly.
Biggest game of the season for us tomorrow, as we host (in form) Donny, and for the winners, it's a week off, and a direct route to the final.
In the league games, both teams won the away fixture, meaning episode three should be an interesting encounter.
We're low on numbers, so in no way will it be an easy eighty minutes for us, but..............
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spelly.
Lions 32-12 Donny this aft, and now we're just eighty minutes (at home) from putting the Chemics on our fixture list next term!
An almost faultless first half saw us go in at the interval 22-0 up, but a dodgy opening to the second forty saw them score two converted tries, but.....
We responded with a six pointer of our own, then two subsequent pens made the game safe, with happy Lions' faces all round.
During today's proceedings, Dan Abram, one of our only two ever presents this campaign, set a new Swinton points in a season record, so..............
All in all, it was a great afternoon, which coupled with the Pinks' failure yesterday, as the old saying goes...........
I've had (a lot of) worse weekends!
Spelly.
Be funny if you beat Rochdale in the final, to see the reaction of their Chairman......
Be good to have another NW side next year, if Leigh go up and you or Hornets don't it will just be us!!
Be funny if you beat Rochdale in the final, to see the reaction of their Chairman......
Be good to have another NW side next year, if Leigh go up and you or Hornets don't it will just be us!!
My mate from 'Ornits was there today, and as he was leaving, he said "See you in a fortnight!"
They've nowt to lose at Donny next week, and can throw everything they've got at 'em.
We were down to our last seventeen fit guys this aft, so hopefully in a fortnight's time, we'll have a bigger squad to pick from, as we attempt to return to the middle tier at the first attempt.
Spelly.
So, another massive game awaits on Sunday, with the prize for the winners, of having the likes of Toulouse, 'Fax, 'Haven (McDermott-less) Fev, and you mob, on the fixture list next term, but.........
For the losers, placing Colwyn Bay, Llanelli, Penryn, et al, in their sat-navs, doesn't have anywhere near the same ring to it!
In the first forty against Donny in the semi, we played some sparkling football, and hopefully we can replicate that against the same opposition in the final, but.............
They put 50+ past Mazey's Mob in the eliminator, so they'll be no easy beats for sure.
I'm under no illusions, and totally accept that going up is the simple part of the equation.Should we do it, the hard work will then start, and anything better than third bottom twelve months hence, would be a bonus!
Fingers (and toes) crossed, and.............
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spelly.
Welcome back to the Championship Spelly!