Swinton look like they have a few decent players for the coming season , i thought Ballard had a decent game , for me Martin Ainscough always looked dangerous , and they have a big second rower called Kash Watkins , i think he is the brother of Kallum Watkins who plays for Leeds , he looked very good .

As for the Crusaders , nice to see so many ex-leythers in the team ,Dave McConnell ,Jamie Durbin , Andy Gorski ,and Jonno Smith and Leon Brennen from Easts , they also have Stuart Reardon the ex Bradford and Wire centre , the Salfordlad upset a Relation of his though





she put him in his place though



.

All in all it was a good game Swinton started slowly but look useful with a few Wire D-R s you never know .

Was an entertaining game but I don't agree with your conclusions.

Swinton's pack is not strong enough in my view and although I have a soft spot for them I can't see them making top 6 this coming season.

Crusaders away following surprised me. The only Championship Clubs who brought that many to our home games last season were Fax Fex and not surprisingly Swinton. About 120 in my estimate' crowd about 600.

Why anyone from Leigh would want to go along and financially support swinton lions is beyond me.

I suppose they went because they are Rugby fans and there was a game on.

Because it also helps to support LSV who need it

Well I have said why in my post.

How does it harm the club I watch home and away if I want to go and watch Swinton' or any other side when Leigh are not playing ?

I went to Wembley last season not to mention the Non Relegation League and Championship Finals oh' and I did a day at Magic weekend on the Saturday and' would have gone on the Sunday' but instead went to watch Leigh at Dewsbury.

Barrow brought a decent support in the NRC as well if memory serves me right.

Think it will be a while before we start to see how the league will pan out this season with so many new clubs promoted and the dual set ups, must admit I thought Swinton would do better than they actually did last season so i'll stay away from the predictions this time around

Today's game was a Testimonial match for a former Leigh player Ian Watson,as Chair of his committee I'd like to thank any Leigh supporter who attended todays game and contributed to Ian's fund.
I can assure you that the only benefit the Swinton club will gain from today was a run out for the players and when his testimonial ends a possible donation towards hopefully our new stadium.Other monies being given to the Eccles RL and the Dana Wilson Memorial fund.
I'm sorry you were under the impression that any support was assisting Swinton,but again to those who attended on behalf of Watto a massive thankyou.

Charlie your right Kash is Kallums brother. Kallum was doing the presentation of medals to the kids. We had Kash a few seasons ago but he wasn't the size he is today.

Hey if Swinton avoid relegation this season I will be happy. most cubs that have come up have spent heavily and amassed useful looking squads and I will admit I was worried about us.

Today has eased my fears somewhat. However, we still need to add to the squad.

I trust Steve Mac and anything above the bottom two will be a bonus.

I dont really understand why people have a problem with going watching other teams. I had a Leigh season ticket the year you were in SL along side my Swinton one. I chose Swinton when the fixtures clashed but I really enjoyed that season. Seems a bit short sighted to have a go about that, as after all, its a two way street.

Good post.

Why no post about Keighleys friendly game, it has more relevance.

The highlights of the Keighley v Fax friendly are on you tube.

I didn't comment on that game because I didn't go.

Who won

Halifax 42-16. I had been planning to go but wasn't able to leave in time.

I went because im missing the Rugby , and the game was in Aid of Ian Watsons testimonial ,so it wasnt supporting Swinton either , Watto was a decent servant to Leigh, and the game was very enjoyable .





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Why didn't anyone flag the game up on here? I'm sure a few more would have turned up to support Watto.

here you go Keith:

SWINTON LIONS

1. Richie Hawkyard
2. Dan Birkett
3. Sam Reay
4. Martin Ainscough
5. Kevin Penny
6. Chaz I’Anson
7. Ian Watson
8. David Mills
9. Liam Hulme
10. Neil Holland
11. Chris Clarke
12. Kash Watkins
13. Josh Barlow

Interchanges:

14. Ashley Cooper
15. Adam Lewis
16. Andy Ballard
17. Lewis Brookes
19. Joe Parkinson
20. Jack Morrison
21. Mark Smith

Tries: Mills 9, Hulme 15, Hawkyard 22, Watkins 27, Ainsocugh 44, Ballard 49

Goals: Birkett 5/6

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS

1. Tommy Johnson
2. Christiaan Roets
3. Stuart Reardon
4. Leon Brennan
5. Rob Massam
6. Jamie Durbin
7. Billy Sheen
8. Simon Stephens
17. Dave McConnell
10. Phil Bradish
11. Toby Adamson
12. Andy Gorski
13. Jonno Smith
Interchanges:
14. Lewys Weaver
15. Ryan McDonald
16. Adam Bowman
9. Lee Hudson
19. Owain Brown
22. Craig White

Tries: Gorski 6, Massam 33, Adamson 42
Goals: Johnson 1/3


Referee: D Sharpe

HT: 24-10

Attendance: 645

MOTM: Christiaan Roets – had a hand in Crusaders’ first – and best – try of the afternoon. He was fairly solid at centre, causing Swinton problems throughout the match.

Why does a friendly between 2 Yorkshire teams have more relevance than a testimonial game of one of our past players?

We play both in the league.

ps Love the username.

A Leyther refereed the Keighley game?

A game of rugby is a game of rugby, no wonder it's going down the pan.

Not sure about Kash but Kallum did Keith.

This is Neil's third or fourth year at Swinton I think Keith, unless Swindon are one of the expansion sides in Championship One?

Just checked and this will be his third season there after being on loan at Blackpool (RIP) from Wigan in 2010.

Thanks