After HUNSLET’s thrilling 22–20 victory over Swinton Lions at Heywood Road, they will be a Championship club in 2025.

Early on, it was all Lions, with a ten-minute coming together electrifying the action and bringing warmth to the chilly Sunday night audience.

Rhys Williams cantered down the touchline to finish nicely on 15 minutes, but the Lions took the first points of the game despite Jack Render nearly catching a perfect Matty Beharrell moments later against the flow of play. However, Swinton had a 4-0 lead and Dan Abram was unable to convert.

In the subsequent 60-meter race, Abram caught Hunslet dozing off, but Mitch Cox was the next to cross the finish line after a precise Jack Stevens kick. Swinton jumped out to a 10-0 lead, and this time Abram hit the conversion.

After the Swinton center brilliantly received a searching Hunslet kick, Jayden Hatton fell awkwardly after a tip tackle, but the Lions’ pressure was relieved by Alfie Goddard’s interception.

Even though that interception was unsuccessful, five minutes prior to halftime, Hunslet managed to intercept another errant throw, and Mackenzie Turner was able to go the full distance this time, demonstrating incredible speed in the process. At 10-6, Beharrell’s conversion put the visitors within four points.

It remained that way until halftime, but the Parksiders had a fantastic chance to grab the lead thanks to a break by Ethan O’Hanlon, and they did.

Several Swinton defenders appeared to have caught Harvey Hallas, but the prop was able to pass the ball to Cam Berry, who scooted over. At 12-10, Beharrell’s conversion put the visitors ahead for the first time.

Moments later, Dean Muir’s team had another opportunity thanks to another Hunslet penalty. George Flanagan Junior stole a try from dummy-half to send the visiting supporters into a frenzy. Suddenly the Parksiders were 18-10 ahead, and Beharrell was on target again.

However, Mikey Wood’s push under the posts put the Lions back within two after a spectacular burst from Gavin Bennion. After 55 minutes, Abram converted to make it 18-16.

On the hour, Hunslet believed they had retaliated, but Render delivered a high kick. After Cox kept the ball alive on the final tackle, Swinton punished their opponents for their error by having Jonny Vaughan slide through. But with the Lions leading 20–18 going into the last 15 minutes, Abram was unable to convert.

When Williams ran down the left and kicked Hatton on his inside, the hosts nearly had another, but Hunslet made a fantastic last-ditch effort to keep their hopes alive.

Render’s brilliant finish four minutes from time sent the visiting fans into raptures, underscoring the significance of that defensive steel. The Parksiders led 22–20, but Beharrell missed the extras this time.

But even at that point, the Lions recovered from the brief kickoff to set up a thrilling finish. However, Hunslet persevered and won a historic match to reclaim the Championship.

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