Just champion!

Saddleworth Rangers under-16s: Ben White (back, left), Ryan Maneely, Charlie Stringer, Bobby Crossley, Jack Leigh, Jay Claridge, Dominic O'Connor, Chris Bolton, Ashley Webb, Scott Booth. Anthony Nurney (front, left), Danny Lomax, Danny Richardson, Lewis Galbraith, Josh Bradbury, Lewis Ralph, Ross Hansford, Thomas Hilton.

Rangers celebrate consecutive titles
RUGBY LEAGUE: SADDLEWORTH Rangers under-16s became the first Oldham team to win back-to-back North-West Counties League Premier Division titles in a decade after beating West Bank Bears 28-8 at home.

With Orrell St James lurking in second place, it was a must-win game for Rangers, narrow losers in this season’s North-West Counties Cup final to Ince Rose Bridge.

Despite the Bears’ lowly position at second-bottom of the table, the visitors battled well before Saddleworth’s extra quality — 13 members of the team are on Super League scholarships and three have been chosen for England’s under-16s — won the day, to emulate Waterhead’s class of 2000-01.

Ryan Maneely sent in Ashley Webb under the post for Rangers’ first score, which was followed up by scores from side-stepping Danny Lomax and a weaving Ben White, who also converted once to make it 14-8 at half-time.

Jack Leigh put Lomax over for his second and Webb also grabbed a brace after a great Maneely offload.

Josh Bradbury’s effort which saw him sprint half the length of the pitch after accepting Thomas Hilton's pass rounded off the scoring on a terrific day for Rangers.

“With only the Oldham Cup final to come, this was one of the last games that many of these lads will play together.

“Thirteen of the squad are getting ready to compete with their Super League clubs in scholarship games at the end of April,” said coach Alan Bolton.

“We wish them all plenty of success in the future. As one of the coaches who has been with some of these lads for 11 years, it has been a pleasure to be involved.”




TWO Bradley Jinks tries helped Saddleworth Rangers under-10s to a 24-10 win over travelling Wigan St Jude’s.
Adam Howarth opened the scoring with a length-of-field run and Jinks was next to touch down.

Strong defence kept St Jude’s at bay until a two-try burst shortly before half-time.

Elijah Wolstenholme added another for the home team and Jinks and Ben Forster also scored tries before the end.