Rangers fall at the first hurdle

SADDLEWORTH Rangers under-12s bowed out of the Lancashire Cup at the first round stage after a 24-6 defeat at Mayfield Mustangs.

A handling error after five minutes gifted Mayfield their first score, only for Tom Brisk to reply immediately for Rangers, picking up the ball on the half way line and placing it under the posts.

Unfortunately, there was little else to speak of in a disappointing Rangers performance.

The opposition took advantage of a team who did not play as well as they have done so far this season.

Lewis Adams was the top tackler and Tom Jowle was man-of-the-match.

The under-14s slipped to their first defeat of the season, going down 18-4 to Langworthy Reds in round two of the North-West Counties Cup.

Joseph Harrison-Brown grabbed the consolation try.

Rangers under-16s failed to register a point for the first time this season when they were beaten 36-0 by Latchford.

Even though the local outfit conceded more than 30 points, it did not reflect their efforts in defence.

Tom Robinson and Ricky Joy stood out for Rangers.

The under-15s weren’t at their best against Bold Miners, who claimed an 8-6 victory.

Behind to an early score in the corner, Rangers couldn’t get into any rhythm as they conceded a second score before the break.

The loss of hooker Danny Richardson (bang on the head) and number 13 Ross Hansford (knee) in the first half added to Rangers’ problems.

The second period followed a similar pattern as Rangers struggled to break down a resolute Bold defence.

But they were rewarded for their efforts when Jack Connor crashed over after accepting a short ball from man-of-the-match Ben White, who added the conversion.

Bobby Crossley was the top tackler, while coach’s award went Harry Ripply, who produced his best game of the season so far.

The under-13s, who only had 10 players, put in a spirited performance against Bank Quay Bulls.

Despite going down to a 40-16 defeat, they held their own for long periods of the game and only trailed by four points at the break until tiring in the second half.

Joel Pearson, Matthew Rigby and Jack Brocklehurst scored tries for Rangers. Brocklehurst also added two conversions.

Other scores —

UNDER-NINES: Oldham St Anne’s 5 tries (Luke Smith, Thomas Barnes, Ethan Chiappe, Asa France, William Maloney), Newton Storm 8; Saddleworth Rangers 5 tries, Ince Rose Bridge 2.

UNDER-10S: Saddleworth Rangers 22 (tries: Matt Fletcher 2, Matt Tetlow, Kristian Hilton; conv: Matt Fletcher, Finn Gallagher, Keiran Elkin), Chorley Panthers 4.