Swinton Lions will be back in the Betfred Championship in 2023 thanks to a 16-10 win over Doncaster in the League 1 promotion play-off final at Heywood Road.

Allan Coleman’s side, who finished second at the end of the regular season, will join League 1 champions Keighley Cougars in the second tier of the professional pyramid after winning promotion at the first attempt.

Doncaster, who reached the final from fourth spot, opened the scoring with an early try from centre Jason Tali, his 18th of the season, but the hosts took the lead on 21 minutes when Jordan Case touched down, with Dan Abram converting.

 
A penalty on the stroke of half-time by Doncaster half-back Connor Robinson locked the scores up at 6-6 and the visitor regained the lead early in the second half with a try from Tom Halliday.

The crucial score came on 67 minutes when Mitch Cox supported a break by forward Nick Gregson to score the Lions’ second try which tied the scores once more Abram’s conversion made it 12-10 and Jack Hansen added a third try just before the end to put the seal on the victory.