Back in January when Hornets beat Swinton in quite possibly the dullest victory of the season at a sodden Gigg Lane, the Lions were flying high with three wins from three and Hornets were struggling to find our rhythm. How our seasons have diversified since then. As we have found a rich vein of form that has allowed us to grab a place in the top eight and push for that elusive top four finish, Swinton find themselves ten points off the pace and langushing fifth bottom as they play out a disappointing season.
But still they show signs that they're no mugs. Having beaten Featherstone at home, they took the Biffs close a couple of weeks ago, going down by two points in a tense finish at 'Borrowed Park'.
With these solid displays behind them, Swinton Fans will have been disappointed by last week's 40-26 reverse at Barrow. Having led 18-12 at half time, we can fully appreciate how bad that drive home must've been.
Swinton's side last week included quite a few familiar faces. Ex Hornets' winger Lee Hudson and scrum half Phil Waring have been joined by Chris Newall, who showed flashes of ability here, but never really had a chance to consolidate his place in the team. Up front Lee Hansen should provide some food for thought for Scully and Andy I., whilst at loose forward, Phil Vievers continues to defy the onset of his pension book bringing experience to what is still a young squad.
Man to watch though is cagey hooker Rob Barraclough who capped a Lions' man- of-the-match performance at Craven Park last week with a try.
Sadly it's off the field this week where Swinton have sneaked into the limelight as Malcolm White has been quite vociferous in his opposition to the vote to return to a winter season - made interesting by the fact that his club wasn't one of those registering a vote in favour of summer.
Perhaps he's missed the fact that 14 defeats in 22 NFP games and gates of 600 are unlikely to get Swinton into Superleague. And, given the scale of their defeat by Leeds in the Challenge Cup, that he still feels some sort of affinity with them beggars belief.
Still, unashamed Stupidleague acolyte White reckons he can muster enough votes to narrow the margin of defeat. He obviously feels that moving lock- stock-and barrel to a full winter season would be a major step back to the dark days of the seventies. Pity he's not in favour, his haircut would be more at home.
As always in a local derby, the form book goes out of the window, so Hornets need to be at our best if we are to strengthen our playoff challenge. Games with Swinton are always tense, tight affairs and the banter between supporters is always of the highest order. See you there.