Comfort in defeat for Rangers coach

AMATEUR RUGBY: SIDDAL were pushed all the way for their two points by a Saddleworth Rangers side who were far from ring rusty after missing more than a month of action.

Coach Keith Brennan had not seen his side step out on to the field of play since the end of November due to the bad weather.

But despite losing the National Conference League Premier Division clash 20-14 at Chevinedge, Brennan found comfort in the fact that Saddleworth made the home team graft hard to claim the victory.

“We played very well and it was just a handful of mistakes that cost us tries,” said the Rangers coach, whose man of the match on the day was Danny Adams.

“The lads were outstanding. And even when we were 16-6 down in the second half, away at a quality side like Siddal, we were never too worried simply because of how well we were playing.”

A Michael Coates penalty put the visitors ahead before Adam Jeffrey crossed in the corner to help Rangers to a six-point advantage.

Gareth Blackburn responded with a penalty try for the home team after being hauled back chasing down a kick, with the same player levelling the game with a penalty before the half-hour.

Blackburn got his second of the match from a Steve Illingworth kick and Gareth English charged home for an unconverted try and a 14-6 half-time lead.

Blackburn’s penalty at the start of the second period was soon answered when second-row forward Adams charged home.

And as Saddleworth enjoyed all the pressure, Adams’ second came after Coates had put Grant Bithel away and closed the gap to a mere two points.

Andy Bowman gave Siddal some respite with a try 11 minutes from time, enabling the home team to move into second place while also serving Rangers with a fifth successive loss.

In Division One, Oldham St Anne’s are still searching for their first away win of the season after losing 36-6 at Ince Rose Bridge, who now sit second in the standings.

Steve Sutcliffe and Craig Young scored tries for the Wigan side early on and Kenny Baker added two goals.

Saints produced the game’s best try before half-time as Dave Harris and debutant Connor Karran combined down the left for the former to score, with Kiel Lancashire landing the conversion.

Lancashire almost had a try of his own only for the ball to just go dead in the in-goal, but from then on Ince moved up a gear.

A brace of tries for Ryan Eccleston and Craig Sanby, plus a try and two goals for Kenny Baker, increased the Ince lead.

Waterhead lost 44-8 at Elland and are currently propping up the rest in Division Two.

Full-back Pete Walker set the home team on their way to a fifth successive win, with Bradley Radcliffe adding the extras.

Radcliffe added a penalty before Matthew Barran scored a try which was goaled by Sean Garrett, who then knocked over a penalty of his own to level the game for Waterhead.

Dean Bishop and Oliver Fairbank then clocked up converted tries for a 20-8 half-time lead.

Fairbank got two more to claim his hat-trick and, after Ben Hinsley and Dave Webb added to Elland’s total, Walker completed the scoring.


Standard first-round date
WATERHEAD will play Folly Lane in the outstanding Standard Cup first-round tie on Wednesday, January 19 (7.45pm kick-off).

The game is to take place at Saddleworth Rangers ARLFC.

The semi-final draw has been made and Hollinwood are at home to holders Saddleworth Rangers, with the winners of the above tie taking on travelling Higginshaw. The dates and times for both last-four ties have yet to be arranged.