Farrimond eyes Mayfield repeat

SIDE STEP: Rangers’ Tom Dransfield tries to dodge the Mayfield defence.

RUGBY: 

CRAIG Farrimond is hoping his Saddleworth Rangers side can replicate their performance against Rochdale Mayfield in two key fixtures.

Rangers suffered an agonising 23-22 extra-time defeat at the hands of Matt Calland’s top-flight outfit in round one of the Conference Challenge Trophy.

But for Farrimond there were definite signs of recovery. Devoid of eight players who would have pushed for a place in the first team, Rangers gave as good as they got in an enthralling contest at Shaw Hall Bank Road.

They led 20-18 with two minutes of normal time remaining, but Mayfield drew level with a penalty. After both teams had exchanged two-pointers, a field goal from Lewis Sheridan broke the home side’s hearts in the 98th minute.

Buoyed by that performance, Rangers are hoping to do better in Division One, since they currently languish near the foot of the table.

On Saturday they visit Milford Marlins — a team they beat twice last season — followed by a face-off with fellow strugglers St Jude’s.

Reflecting on the trophy loss, Farrimond said: “The referee didn’t do us many favours and Mayfield were awarded a dubious penalty underneath the posts to draw the game late on.

“I was made up at the way we stuck at it over the 100 minutes, because Mayfield are a quality side.”

“It all bodes well for Saturday when he play Milford. I’ve got a few of the bodies who weren’t

available last weekend back, so we can go there with confidence.”