Duffy seeking improved mentality from Swinton

Swinton coach Jon Duffy wants to see an improved attitude from his team when they meet Gateshead Thunder in the semi-final of the League One Cup this weekend.

The Lions knocked Rochdale out of the Challenge Cup last week, in a game they won 30-12, and Duffy is hoping that his men learned some lessons from that testing encounter.

“We had a really tough Challenge Cup tie against Rochdale at the weekend and we’ve picked up a couple of knocks so that’s going to give the opportunity for some other players to step up and come into the fold,” said the coach.

“We are really looking forward to this game.

“Newcastle are a great team, they have a great coach in Stanley Gene, he’s brought in some big, strong lads and we know we are going to have to work hard to beat them.

“Keighley came out at us all guns blazing and I think we were lucky to win that game, we need to come out on Sunday with a much better attitude.”

Duffy is also relishing the chance that the semi-final gives to his team to possibly enjoy a final at Blackpool on the day of the Championship‘s Summer Bash.

“It would be massive for the club to get to the final, especially for the supporters, there’s been a lot of doom and gloom over the last few years,” he added.

“I think the Summer Bash is a great concept and I really think this competition has sparked a new life into our division: you can’t beat knock-out rugby and it would be absolutely fantastic to make the final.”