Salford RLFC 18 Swinton Lions 20 Match report

 


It was Derby Day at the Brick Stadium in Wigan on Saturday as fierce rivals Salford RLFC and Swinton Lions faced off in the championship in glorious Sunshine.

1st opportunity of the game went Swinton Lions way after 6 nervous minutes for both sides a strong run by Swintons Josh Eaves created space on the outside but a forward pass by Centre Arron Lynch trying to find Ellis Anderson let Salford off the hook.

A 26 man brawl broke out shortly after as Derby Day tensions spilled out on the field. Both sets of players did not take a backward step, Salford's Danny Lynch Charlie Glover were both sent to the Sin bin for potential part of a tip tackle or the frackar that followed and Salford were down to 11 men after 8 minutes.


Swinton Lions cranked the pressure with their extra men on the field a kick by Stand off Luca Walsh caused Salford fullback Kieran Dixon to push the ball dead and concede a drop out, from the resulting set of six tackles some strong defence by Salford forced a error from Ellis Anderson and the danger went away.

Swinton continued to put pressure on Salford a run by Adam Jones drew the Salford cover and a kick to Harry Higham tricked over the side line with line at his mercy.

Salford built pressure after this and a mistake by Swinton Lions Centre Arron Lynch gave Salford territory, from the resulting scrum Dec Murphy retuning to the club on loan from Hull KR lost the ball in collision and Swinton got the scrum.

Lynch and Glover returned into the action at this point, Swinton Lions took advantage with the 1st try of the game as kick by former Salford academy product Jack Stevens found Ellis Anderson who put the ball down in the corner right in front of the travelling Swinton Faithful. A Stevens goal gave Swinton a 6-0 lead.

Salford hit straight back as Salford built pressure allowing Brad Dwyer to create space for Oli Garmston to burst thought the Swinton defence to score Kieran Dixon converted for Salford and it was 6 all. Swinton though they had scored again when another kick though by Jack Stevens caused chaos in the Salford defence only a last ditch tackle by Callum Green on Ellis Anderson prevented a score.

Salford went up the other end testing the Swinton defence as Jack Bibby went close for Salford the next play of the ball Kieran Dixon was crowed out in the corner and the lions survived.

Salford forced another error from Swinton Lions and after some good hands Lewis Pilling was fouled in the act of scoring by Dean Meadows a try was given and Dixon converted the goal Salford lead 12-6 at half time.

2nd half started with a error by Salford RLFC which gave Swinton the ball 10 metres from the Salford line good hands by Jack Stevens sent Aaron Lynch over in the corner, Stevens kicked the conversion and the game was all square again at 12 a piece.

Swinton Lions made a error from the resulting kick off and from the resulting drop out Brad Dwyer was held up over the line for Salford RLFC. Swinton swung into action on the 48th minute a 50m break by Harry Higham had the Salford defence in scramble mode, it looked like a try was averted when Tom Rachford looked to have been tackled by Declan Murphy but a offload found Higham who scored in the corner. Stevens converted again and Swinton lead 12-18


Swinton got a penalty for a high tackle on Josh Eaves and Swinton converted it pushing them 8 points clear with 20 minutes to go.

From kick off a error from Swinton gave Salford a opportunity from close range but some solid Swinton defence kept Salford out, Salford didn't have to wait long for another opportunity when 2nd row forward Oli Garmston crashed over from close range with 15 minutes to go. Kieran Dixon converted and it was 18-20 Swinton lions.

In the closing stages Swinton Lions fullback Louie Roberts cut though static Salford defence and looked certain to score but big tackles from Brad Dwyer and Dec Murphy prevented the score, Salford battled back and panic set into the Lions defence when Brad Dwyer made a half break but it came to nothing for the Reds.

Salford's final chance of the game came in the final minute when Callum Green made a half break down the right wing, unfortunately the ball back inside was judged forward.



The hooter sounded and the Salford players sank to their knees while the Swinton players did a merry jig in front of their travelling supporters , Swinton's 1st victory over Salford in a competitive league fixture since 1986. In many ways a disappointing result for Salford RLFC Supporters and the club for many the 1st time they have witnessed a “real” derby defeat. But people do say that you learn more in defeat, a eye opening experience for everyone. With two games to go in our 2026 season Dave Hewitt men will look to finish the season strong against Oldham in two weeks and Batley the week after.


Salford 18 Swinton 20

Match report by Rob Parkinson

Pictures by Steve McCormick

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