Swinton Lions will host Doncaster in the Betfred League One Play-Off Final on Sunday. Both sides are just 80 minutes away from promotion to the Betfred Championship. Here is an in-depth look at the huge match on Sunday.
Sunday will see Swinton and Doncaster meet for a fourth time this season. The two sides met twice earlier in the regular season and once in the Play-Offs.
Swinton will head into Sunday with the advantage having won two of the three meetings, including the most recent fixture which put them into this position.
The Lions defeated Doncaster 32-12 a fortnight ago, which meant that Swinton progressed into the Betfred League One Play-Off final, meanwhile Doncaster had to face Rochdale to move through.
Swinton scored five tries during the victory, including one by Mike Butt, who is just two tries away from 100 in his career.
Allan Coleman’s side finished the season in second position with 16 victories from their 20 matches.
Their other victory over Doncaster was back in Round Three, where Swinton ran in 11 tries during the 64-22 hammering of the Dons. Goal kicker Dan Abram converted 10 goals during that match and in the regular season and play-offs, he has the most goals in the league with 137.
Despite losing their last meeting at Swinton, Doncaster will head to Heywood Road with hope as they have already defeated them once already in Greater Manchester this year. Aaron Ollett-Hobson scored a brace as Richard Horne’s side left with the two league points in the 26-12 away success.
The Dons ended the season in fourth position; however, they were pipped into third by North Wales Crusaders, who had a better points difference by just two points.
Doncaster were arguably one of the most in form sides as the season came to an end. In their final 11 league matches, they were able to win all baring one, which was at the hands of Keighley Cougars, who ended the 2022 season with a perfect 20 wins from 20 matches’ record.
Jason Tali has been a continued attack threat for Horne’s side. He has scored 17 tries this season in Betfred League One and the play-offs and he will be a player that Swinton will have to restrtict if they are to progress into the Betfred Championship.
Sunday
Swinton Lions v Doncaster – 2PM – Live on The Sportsman
