Earlier start for Lions clash

Chris Hamilton.

SWINTON Lions have again changed the kick-off time of the Easter Monday clash with Oldham, which will now start at 2pm.

Due to the Lions’ difficulties in finding alternative venues after the breakdown of plans to play at Sedgley Park, the Oldham game at Sale RU Club was only confirmed as a 3pm start on Monday.

It has now been brought forward an hour because Sale ‘A’ play their Northampton counterparts on the same ground later in the day.

Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton said: “Swinton say a 3pm kick-off would be cutting it fine for the other game, so our match will start at 2pm. We apologise to fans for all the confusion.”

It will be the first of three, possibly four Championship games between the sides that won promotion from League One last season.

Swinton are the only Championship team without a win, having lost six games in which they have conceded 208 points in total, the worst defensive record in the division.

By comparison third-from-bottom Oldham have conceded 129 points in five games, fewer than Swinton, Workington and Whitehaven.

Roughyeds play amateurs Kells at Bower Fold on Sunday (3pm) in the fourth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup and then entertain Halifax at the same venue on Good Friday (3pm) before going head to head with the Lions at Sale on Easter Monday (2pm).