Saddleworth on a roll after home romp

RUGBY: ONLY points difference separates Saddleworth Rangers and top spot in Division Two of the Kingstone Press National Conference League.

The Shaw Hall Bank Road club maintained its 100 per cent record with a comprehensive 52-6 win over Stanley Rangers.

Paul Geener’s side had put 40 points on the board before Stanley made an impression, with James Fox’s try goaled by Daniel Grice.

Amazingly, Saddleworth didn’t break the deadlock until the 21st minute, when Tom Robinson went in and Ben Whitehead kicked the conversion. The floodgates opened with former Oldham RL player Craig Farrimond, Whitehead, and Oliver Kerr recording tries before the break. Whitehead added two goals.

It was one-way traffic in the second half as another ex-Roughyed Gavin Dodd, Robinson, Josh Brown, Dale Lowe and Kerr adding to Saddleworth’s tally. Whitehead landed all five conversions for a personal points tally of 20.

The scoreline didn’t flatter Saddleworth, who were outstanding throughout against a Stanley side that took the game to the hosts at every opportunity.


OLDHAM St Anne’s were always going to be up against it after conceding 12 unanswered points in the first quarter at Woolston Rovers in Division Three.

Saints recovered to 22-14, but were unable to bridge the gap in a 36-14 loss.


WATERHEAD’S Division Three fixture at home to Drighlington was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at Peach Road.