Warriors end a 12-month wait

Photo: -TIM BRADLEY-

over i go: Dale Lowe dives in for Saddleworth Rangers against Wigan St Judes.

RUGBY: 

Waterhead Warriors have scored their first win in 12 months.

The struggling Peach Road outfit, relegated to Kingstone Press National Conference League Division Three at the end of last season, saw off Gateshead Storm 28-4 to pick up their first points of the campaign.

The last victory the club enjoyed was last May 24, when Leigh East were seen off 18-16 at home.

“We played really well and got stuck in,” said temporary coach David Orwell said. “The lads worked hard and fully deserved it.” All the Conference sides have the day off on the Bank Holiday weekend.

Fitzgerald ran in for a hat-trick for Waterhead, who established a 10-4 lead over Storm by half-time.

The other try scorers were Darren Nixon and Luke De Feu. Kyle Mayall kicked four goals.

Gateshead’s sole reply was a Matty Banning try, the Waterhead win being the side’s first in 19 league games.



In Division One, Saddleworth Rangers are still searching for their first win of the campaign — but went close when edged out 23-21 by Wigan St Judes at Shaw Hall Bank Road.

Rangers took a fifth-minute lead through Dale Lowe, converted by Ben Whitehead, before the first of Nathan Bevan’s double and a try from Lavin, who converted both, put the Wigan outfit 12-6 up.

Liam Hall’s score, a Whitehead goal and a drop goal from Josh Bradbury put Rangers back in front.

Whitehead then went in for a try he goaled and at 19-12 up at the interval, the home side looked well-set. Rangers had a 21-20 lead in the 70th minute but couldn’t hold on. Dave Carney scored a drop goal to level the scores and with five minutes left, Lavin’s penalty goal won it.



Dewsbury Celtic saw off Oldham St Anne’s 40-20 in Division Two, despite a fightback from the

visitors in the second half. Callum Cashin opened the scoring for Saints but Josh Whitehead levelled and after George Sykes touched down between the posts, Pat Foulstone converting, the home side held a lead they never relinquished.