Old pals provide boost for Saddleworth

RUGBY: GAVIN Dodd and Craig Farrimond lead the old guard tomorrow as Saddleworth Rangers bid to finally get off the mark in the league.

The visit to Ince Rose Bridge marks the start of a vital three-game period in division one of the National Conference League, which also features matches against Salford City Roosters and Wigan St Judes in the next two weeks — the two sides directly above Rangers in the table.

For all of those matches, former Oldham RL colleagues and friends Dodd and coach Farrimond should be able to dictate from the field along with returning forward Chris Conway, centre Ben Wood and hooker Dale Lowe.

Last week’s 40-12 defeat at Normanton Knights came about due to an awful start which left the Greenfield club 28-0 down to the league leaders by half-time. Farrimond accepts his side can’t afford to give opponents such a telling advantage.

“Normanton were a big, physical set and we went up there with a scratch bench,” the Rangers coach said. “But we are getting experienced players back and are stronger this week.”

Tomorrow’s game is a special one for Farrimond, who hails from Ince, and he certainly hasn’t given up hope on a campaign that has Rangers languishing at the foot of the table without a point from 13 games.

“All is not lost,” he added. “Our aim at the start of the season was to challenge for promotion.

“Though that has gone now, we want a strong finish to this campaign and to keep the squad together and build for next season.”

In Division Two, Oldham St Anne’s are back in action after a two-week break away to Stanley Rangers, currently ninth in the table.

Waterhead Warriors take to Waterhead Park again, with mid-table Dewsbury Moor the visitors.