Rangers set early pace

IT IS business as usual at the top of the first Rugby Oldham Challenge table, with reigning champions Saddleworth Rangers already leading the way — albeit, having played a game more than the rest.

Keith Brennan’s promotion chasers made it two wins from as many played in National Conference League division one at the weekend, defeating Rochdale Mayfield 30-12 at Shaw Hall Bank Road with winger Shaun Robinson notching up a pair of tries against the relegated outfit.

Those two victories — gained despite Brennan feeling there is more yet to come from his side — give Rangers a three-point cushion at the top of the table. A third home fixture in a row against mid-table Stanningley this Saturday gives Saddleworth a chance to further enhance their position.

Next are Oldham St Anne’s, who enjoyed a superb start to their NCL division two campaign in thrashing Eastmoor Dragons 62-8 at Higginshaw Road.

A hat-trick from David Harris helped Saints along their way in a game in which half-back Kiel Lancashire managed to pick up a personal haul of 22 points.

St Anne’s coach Mick Cashin will be targeting back-to-back wins as the team travels across the Pennines to take on East Leeds, who emerged with credit from a 19-12 loss at Eccles and Salford Juniors.

Waterhead couldn’t complete a winning treble for the local NCL clubs, losing 52-6 away at Stanley Rangers to contribute not a point to their Challenge total.

Terry Fitzgerald’s wedding bash, attended by a host of players, put paid to realistic hopes of victory in their first fixture of the season after pleas to switch the game to a later date fell on deaf ears.

Coach Mick Slicker can’t put things right this weekend as the Peach Road side are without a fixture in an 11-team division two.

Rochdale Cobras sit third thanks to their thumping opening day win at Wigan Bulldogs.

The club, who only began life last season, finished outside the promotion places in their inaugural campaign but were still elevated to division five of the North-West Counties League as a result of a reorganisation of the structure.

Two clubs which both tasted defeat, Higginshaw and Hollinwood, sit fourth and fifth respectively.




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© Oldham Evening Chronicle 2008