Rangers have to dig in for victory

IN GOOD NICK: Rangers' Ben Whitehead

SADDLEWORTH Rangers bounced back from a four-match losing streak to record a victory at basement boys Salford City Roosters - but Craig Farrimond's side didn't have things all their own way.

Rangers ended up running out 38-18 winners in the Kingstone Press National Conference League Division Two clash, with Ben Whitehead crossing for a try and kicking five goals.

But the game was in the balance at the halfway mark. The hosts - who had only 15 players - put on a determined show to lead 14-10 as the teams entered the sheds at half-time.

CROSSED

Harrison Barnett, Damola Ayanlaya and Tom Smith all crossed for the Roosters in the first half, with Ben Wheeler adding a single conversion.

Saddleworth's responses came via James Whalley and Rob Kivlin, Whitehead kicking the first of his goals.

After the break, only Paul Morgan breached the visitors' defence. Rangers grabbed further tries through Kivlin, Anthony Morrison (two), Tom Dransfield and Whitehead to earn a comfortable victory that keeps the Greenfield club in eighth.

WATERHEAD Warriors had an afternoon to forget at Barrow Island elsewhere in Division Three, losing 60-0.

Jake Stockdale (two), James Howden, Luke Thompson, Carl McBain, Dan Wright, Spencer Hoyland, Lewis Sale, Joe Spenceley, Sam Jones and Jamie Curtis all scored, while conversions arrived through Howden (five), Matt Parkinson (two) and Blain Marwood, from a side who were 34-0 up at the interval.