Saddleworth and Saints claim victory

SADDLEWORTH Rangers and Oldham St Anne's came up with a winning double in the National Conference League, maintaining both teams’ 100-per-cent starts.

Rangers, at home to Stanningley in division one, made it three wins from as many played at Shaw Hall Bank Road with a 32-10 triumph to move second in the table.

Winger Shaun Robinson scored twice to make it four tries in two matches for him, while stand-off Michael Coates claimed the man-of-the-match award for Saddleworth with a typically influential display.

Stanningley took the lead after six minutes through Anthony Glynn but from then on the home team assumed command.

Tom Lever equalised and a pair of tries in the final 10 minutes of the half from Robinson and Liam Coates, plus a penalty and all three conversions from Michael Coates, gave Rangers a 20-4 lead at half-time.

Josh Brown put Keith Brennan’s side further ahead on 52 minutes and a Michael Coates penalty followed on the hour.

Adam Elwell got one back for the visitors, converted by Stuart Halliday, in a fractious half which featured four sin-binnings — two for each side.

Rangers, who were forced to do without David Byrne (dissent) and then Simon Parrish (fighting), had the final word with a Robinson try that Michael Coates embellished for a personal tally of 12 points.


OLDHAM St Anne’s held off a strong second half comeback to edge a 24-22 win at East Leeds, continuing their positive opening to the division two season.

Dominating the opening half-hour, Saints scored outstanding tries through Zac Cotton, Lee Forsythe and a 40-yard run from hooker Danny Kay.

Kiel Lancashire converted all three and added a penalty and at 20-0 up, the visitors seemed in total control.

Though they had threatened, it took until the 35th minute for East Leeds to breach the line with a converted score.

After the break, the heat on a fine day appeared to sap the energy of St Anne’s.

On 50 minutes another converted try brought the gap down to eight points and the game started to tilt in the balance of the home team.

An unconverted try from David Harris brought more control for Saints, but the game was far from over and some slack tackling and poor discipline resulted in two further tries for the home side.

With a minute left, only some fine defending from Forsythe prevented a match-winning try and Saints were relieved to come away with the points.

Saints are now third in division two.