It’s over thirty years since Swinton and Salford were in the same League together. The two sides had last met in a competition fixture back in 2008 for the Rail Cup but this Easter Sunday match was the first League Derby since the one at Station Road in 1992.

Both sides had endured a very testing start to the 2026 season and both had been on the end of some heavy defeats. On a nippy and blustery afternoon the sun peeped through and rain held off as the expectant crowd flooded into Heywood Road to make a real bumper attendance with a fantastic atmosphere prior to kick off. 

With Matty Ross picking up a serious injury last Friday Salford had another new signing named at fullback as Callum Green made his debut. The rest of the 17 remained the same as last week’s narrow defeat to Halifax as interim coach Dave Hewitt went for continuity having built a trust amongst his players. 

The Lions had played seven and lost seven. They had the talented Reece Briers in the halves alongside Brad Billsborough. Louie Roberts was at fullback and Gavin Rodden was in the back row.

Salford’s pack got the visitors on the front foot in the early stages. Excellent build up play from Brad Dwyer and Sam Bowring laid the platform for Toby Hughes’s teasing kick which Jack Holmes pounced on for the games first try. Jack Gatcliffe converted, 0-6.

Their was a real strong wind in Swinton’s favour but the next chance went Salford’s way as Hughes sent another tricky kick through which caused panic for the home side but they just about swept it up in time. 

Jack Bibby was proving difficult to stop with his brutal running and Reece Stanton ran the channel well attracting two or three defenders every time he had possession. Owen Haldenby was another tireless worker as Salford’s early dominance paid off when Dwyer ghosted through a gap to score in the fourteenth minute. Gatcliffe converted, 0-12.

Despite the dry conditions the errors started to mount up with both sides dropping the ball and failing to complete sets. Salford wasted chances on attacking sets and probably should have posted more points. Swinton slowly got their act together and after some neat work from Briers the ball fizzed out wide before Ellis Anderson scored a fine try. The Lions grew in confidence and should have scored again but errors hampered their progress. 

Bowring was a vital cog in the Salford attack. Once again his soft hands and neat offloads created another try scoring opportunity. A penalty soon followed and with it being so close to half time it seemed a wise move from Gatcliffe to take the two and increase the lead to 4-14 at the break.

Tempers flared again early in the second half with Brad Dwyer and Swinton’s Louie Roberts sent to the sin bin. 

On his return Roberts broke through to race down field, the support play kept the pressure on with Tom Ratchford scoring the try which put the hosts right back in the match, 10-14.

The match started to swing towards the Lions and the next score was going to prove vital. Salford needed a big moment and they got one from Bowring who powered over from a short pass. The big prop has made a huge impact this season and his on field leadership skills and ability to read the game so well once again put Salford in the driving seat. 

Fin Yates put himself about with a big display at loose forward and Ollie Garmston was a constant presence out in the centre. Garmston was a real thorn in the side of the Swinton three quarters. 

The match threatened to boil over in the closing stages and Swinton were reduced to eleven men for the final minutes. Roberts was sin binned for the second time before Samy Kibula was given his marching orders for a high tackle. 

A terrific vocal following from Salford were rewarded with a deserved victory. It promises to be another brilliant occasion later in the summer when these two old foes meet again in August.

Salford are back in action next Sunday when they host Batley.

Swinton 10 Salford 20.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.