Championship Preview: North Wales Crusaders v Swinton Lions

North Wales Crusaders coach Clive Griffiths has stressed the importance of Sunday’s Kingstone Press Championship clash with Swinton Lions.

The Crusaders are two points behind ninth-placed Batley Bulldogs in the league table.

Griffiths said: “With our form being up and down, this is a big game for us.

“We beat Swinton earlier in the year and they’ll be smarting from that. They’ve a lot to play for, but so have we.”

He added: “We’ve let go of too many homes games. We had disappointing results against Rochdale and Keighley, but this is another opportunity for the boys to get back on track.

“There are two leagues now – the top group, and the rest of us that are fighting for survival.”

Crusaders are boosted by the return of Seb Martins, but Andy Moulsdale (shin) looks set to miss the rest of the season.

Jamie Dallimore, Craig Ashall and Tommy Johnson face late fitness tests before Griffiths finalises his team.

Lions coach Ian Watson remains upbeat, despite last week’s home defeat against Doncaster.

He said: “We just need to keep our concentration for the full 80 minutes and maybe something will happen for us.

“We’re not too far away from a win, but we need to stick at it.”