Match Report | Swinton Lions 0-50 Sheffield Eagles | 1895 Cup Preliminary Round
16/03/2026
Written by Spencer Arnold
Photo by Gareth Lyons
Sheffield Eagles secured their place in the 1895 Cup 1st Round on Sunday afternoon with a comprehensive 50-0 victory away at Swinton Lions.
Head Coach Craig Lingard named two changes to his side from the one which featured against Rochdale last time out as Kieran Gill and Billy Walkley made their returns to action in place of Alex Foster and Ryan Millar.
Both sides duked it out with a rally of sets in the opening quarter as the sides adjusted to wet and windy conditions in Greater Manchester, but it was the experienced George Griffin who powered over for the Eagles’s opener to the right of the sticks in the 19th minute.
The visitors came knocking once again only four minutes later as Griffin was first to react before the ball went out of play as he touched down for a second score in Eagles colours in quick succession.
There were a few more near-misses for the two teams until the Eagles widened the gap in the final minute of the first half through a strong offensive effort by Gill in the right corner.
The second half was also opened up by the Eagles when Jack Bussey barrelled through the hosts to score in the 46th minute.
Another try in quick succession, this time scored by Connor Bower, put Sheffield even further in front, as they started to run away with proceedings in Lancashire.
Walkley was next to add his name on the scoresheet as he dived over in the left corner for a try on his return to action with twelve minutes to go, before Corey Johnson was next over to score, his second in two games, with a try in the opposite corner.
With just five minutes of the game remaining, two quick-fire tries by Matty Marsh completely sealed the game for the Eagles, with the side booking their place in the 1895 Cup 1st Round, where we will take on Rochdale Hornets at the Crown Oil Arena, to be played on the weekend of the 18/19th April.
The Eagles have a quick turnaround as they now prepare to take on Oldham R.L.F.C in Round 6 of the Betfred Championship on Saturday afternoon (3pm KO).
Swinton Lions: Roberts, Fitzgerald, Jones, Connolly, Parkinson, Ratchford, Lynch, Kelly-Duffy, Roby, Reddecliff, Willis, McCurrie, Rodden
Interchanges (all used): Killan, Meadows, Coan, Kibula
18th Man: Butt
Sheffield Eagles: Marsh, Brown, Gill, Hodson, Walkley, Morgan, Lilley, Matongo, Bowes, Reilly, Bower, Farrell, Griffin
Interchanges (all used): Johnson, Bussey, Broadbent, Peachey
18th Man: Ellis
Tries: Griffin (19’, 23’), Gill (40’), Bussey (46’), Bower (50’), Walkley (68’), Johnson (71’), Marsh (75’, 79’)
Goals: Lilley 8/9
Referee: R. Cox
