Rangers rocked in Roses battle

Gareth Morgan dives in for Saddleworth Rangers. PICTURES by TIM BRADLEY

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RUGBY: AN end to end clash in Greenfield ended with Saddleworth Rangers being pipped at the post by Hunslet Warriors, who took a 34-32 win back to West Yorkshire.

But the 16-man visitors were made to work every inch for their two points by a home side constantly in contention in this Kingstone Press National Conference League Division One clash.

Craig Farrimond’s side might just have had a little too much defending to do in the final analysis, with two men in the sin-bin — Farrimond himself for a trip and stand-out player Dale Lowe for punching — to one, Karl Featherstone, also for punching, from Hunslet.

The result leaves Rangers still bottom of the table, with six games left.

Gareth Morgan crossed first for the home side at Shaw Hall Bank Road and with Callum Siddal and James Whalley also going over either side of a Mark Cunningham response goaled by Gary McClelland, three Josh Bradbury goals helped Rangers to an 18-6 lead.

But a quick double from Luke Day and another by Dave Norton just before half-time, McClelland kicking two more goals, gave the Warriors a 22-18 lead.

The home team nosed in front again after 43 minutes. when Lee West and Dale Bateson tries were answered by a Jack Bradbury effort and goal, and the same man then kicked a 69th-minute penalty to inch his team into a 32-30 lead.

But Chris Hartley’s 70th-minute effort finally gave the visitors their points.