Swinton Lions relegated to League One after loss to Hunslet

Swinton Lions are relegated to League One after an agonising two-point defeat to Hunslet in the championship relegation playoff. 

The Lions lost 20–22 at Heywood Road last night (Sunday) despite going into the game as favourites and taking the lead in the 15th minute through a try from former Salford winger Rhys Williams.

And it looked as though they were going to stay up as Mitch Cox scored again minutes later, with Dan Abram converting from the spot to extend their lead to 10-0 after 20 minutes.

But by the 36th minute the game began to change for Hunslet.

The  visitors scored their first try close to the end of the first half when Mackenzie Turner raced 80 metres upfield from an interception to score.

The result was then brought closer with the conversion making it nervous at half time, with Swinton only holding a 10-6 lead.

But the second half was worse with a poor display costing them their league position.

#COYL #OriginalLions pic.twitter.com/3GAfviu64X

— Swinton Lions RLFC (@Swinton_Lions) October 13, 2024

A rampant opening 10 minutes from Hunslet was the downfall of the Lions, as the away side ran in three tries taking them to an 18-10 lead on the 50-minute mark.

At least Swinton had the chance to fight back, and put themselves back in front thanks to tries from Mikey Wood and St Helens loanee Jonny Vaughan.

Home fans were again dreaming of a 20-18 victory but a dramatic ending killed all the hopes when, in the dying moments of the game, Hunslet scored again.

Hunslet’s Jack Render was able to score a try late on to put the away side in front 20-22.

The final whistle sounded, with the defeat demoting Swinton Lions back to the League One. Hunslet will take their place in the Betfred Championship for the first time in a decade.

The Lions will look to bounce back to the championship in 2025 and escape the third tier of rugby league, as they did in 2022 after being promoted after finishing second in League One.

Swinton will also likely now lose their dual registration partnership with Super League club St Helens, which has seen players such as Tee Ritson and Jonny Vaughan appear for them on loan.

A big off-season is expected to try to fill the void that this will leave in the squad.