Rangers battle hard to secure title glory

Feeling champion . . . The Saddleworth Rangers under 14s team

SADDLEWORTH Rangers under-14s roared to North-West Counties League Division Two title glory thanks to a thrilling 16-10 victory at third-placed Wigan St Cuthbert’s.

Playing uphill, against a strong wind, Rangers were always going to have a battle on their hands in the opening half.

Just before half time, fatigue eventually took its toll and defensive errors allowed Wigan in for a converted try to make it 6-0.

Eddie Adams and Ben Manton should have been rewarded with points, given a little more luck and composure, but turning round just one score down at the break was a fair reflection of how the game had been progressing.

Jack Harrison-Brown and Andrew Shuttleworth were unstoppable in the second period, making massive yardage through the middle, allowing Dan Boulter and Ben Forster to show off some clever attacking skills and dominate the retreating defenders.

Tom Healy and Billy England linked up in the middle of the park expertly to keep Cuthbert’s at bay.

Matt Heginbotham went over out wide for Rangers’ first try to close the gap to 6-4.

The powerful Joe Molden then forced his way over from dummy half, with Ben Forster adding the extras to secure a 10-6 advantage.

FABULOUS

Tom Healy was next to go over under the sticks, rounding off a fabulous personal performance, and it was now 16-6.

The hosts added another try in the late stages, but Rangers hung on and returned home delighted with the Championship Shield following a terrific campaign.