Swinton Lions, who only staved off relegation by two points in 2023, triumphed over Championship hopefuls Toulouse Olympique with a score of 14-20 at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, securing their first win of the season.
In the estimated IMG rankings which were released last year, Toulouse were graded as a B club with a score of 12.52, which would promote them to the Super League next season, based on those standings.
This defeat to Swinton, a team currently ranked C with a score of 7.21, is a significant upset and makes the victory even sweeter for the Lions. Toulouse, with their high ranking and strong performance this season, were a side expected to dominate the match.
Swinton started the brightest with a try in the first five minutes from Rhys Williams. Dan Abram sent the ball out to the edge and Williams went in at the corner. However, Swinton failed to convert the try.
It only took Toulouse five minutes to get themselves back in the game with a try from the clinical Paul Ulberg. Taking possession from the drop-out, Toulouse moved the ball back upfield before Ulberg capitalised in the corner to level the score.
Swinton Lions played a strategic game, capitalising on Toulouse’s knock-on to regain possession. They seized this opportunity, with Josh Eaves powering over from close range to put the Lions 8-4 up.
Declan Patton converted the first kick of the day to round up a great piece of play from Swinton.
Despite the mounting pressure from Toulouse, the Swinton Lions held their ground with a solid defensive line, showcasing their resilience and determination.
The game took a turn for the worse for Toulouse, as Lambert Belmas was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle and Swinton capitalised on the man advantage, as Declan Patton extended the Lions’ lead just before halftime with a conversion, which put his side 16-4 up heading into the break.
The second half started well for the Lions, as Richard Lepori scored a try just six minutes into the first half. It was a long ball to the right edge, exposing the overlap, and Lepori dives in at the corner.
Throughout the second half, Toulouse showed their quality by pushing Swinton back, gaining a lot of territory and trying to target the corners. But too many errors cost them big chances to get back in the game against a strong, stubborn Swinton Lions defence.
Eventually, Toulouse’s pressures paid off; eight minutes towards the end, the French side got a try from Reuben Rennie and a successful conversion from Jake Shorrocks narrows heading into the game’s last minutes.
Two minutes after the try, Toulouse managed to score again, making the score 14-20 and putting real pressure on the Lions.
Unfortunately, for Toulouse, it was too late.
The ref blew for full-time, leaving the French side with one win out of a possible three and seventh in the table.
Meanwhile, the Swinton Lions’ first win of the season put them eleventh on the table. This significant win will help gain momentum heading into the next game.
What a win! Thanks for your support, a fantastic following. #COYL #OriginalLions pic.twitter.com/0wROL3u7ko
— Swinton Lions RLFC (@Swinton_Lions) April 7, 2024
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