Saints are sunk by new leaders

Photo: PICTURES by PAUL STERRITT.

LOW FLYER . . . Saints’ Dominic Bryan tries to make some progress.

RUGBY: 

OLDHAM St Anne’s battled bravely before going down 40-20 at home against new National Conference League Division Two leaders Featherstone Lions.

The Lions got off the mark in the early stages when man of the match Josh Hardcastle grabbed the first of four tries. Ian Jackson converted, but not to be outdone Saints quickly followed with a Niall Collins try. Within minutes Lions’ winger Gaz Gale touched down, and with a Jackson conversion the visitors were 12-4 ahead.

Oliver Bryan produced a stunning break to enable Collins to go in for his second try, but at 12-8 for the visitors, Hardcastle went in for his second score and with the trusty boot of Jackson converting, it moved on to 18-8.

Saints then produced a good defensive stint, but in the 32nd minute Reece Dyas spotted a rare gap to touch down, and with a Jackson goal Saints were 24-8 behind.

Saints turned defence into attack, and just before the break Carl Fields went close, before Billy Barnes scooted over the line. Matt Whitehead’s goal meant Saints were back in contention at 24-14. Within minutes of the restart Whitehead was held up over the line, only for Mick Smith to press forward and place the ball on the line.

A conversion moved Saints to within striking distance at 24-20, but despite their best efforts the points dried up.



SADDLEWORTH Rangers were beaten 46-16 at home by Division One’s second-placed outfit, Normanton Knights.

Jack Bradbury (two) and Ethan Langhorn scored tries for rock-bottom Rangers, while Josh Bradbury kicked a couple of conversions.

Trailing by just 10 points, the hosts enjoyed a dominant spell of possession during the first 20 minutes of the second half, but just couldn’t get over the line.