Rangers dashed by late thrust

KICKING THROUGH . . . Josh Bradbury, of Saddleworth Rangers, tries to put his side on the front foot at Rochdale Mayfield. PICTURES by TIM BRADLEY

SADDLEWORTH Rangers came close to pulling off a shock before eventually bowing out of the Conference Challenge Trophy at the hands of 44-36 winners Rochdale Mayfield.

National Conference League Premier Division outfit Mayfield ­- guided round the park by veteran half-back Chris Hough ­- were losing 36-32 entering the final dozen minutes in this round-two clash.

That was before hooker Callum Ogden crossed the line at a crucial moment, Hough adding the goal.

And Mayfield's Seta Tala then crashed over with two minutes left on the clock in a see-saw contest, six minutes after Rangers full-back Gavin Dodd had been sin-binned for a professional foul.

Saddleworth had led through two tries from Ollie Kerr and there were also tries from the Greenfield side for star man Gareth Morgan, Jack Holden and Matt Bottom, with Ben Whitehead kicking six goals.

Lewis Sheridan crossed twice for Mayfield, who led 18-12 at half-time, while Callum Marriott and Liam Whalley also went over.

Hough ended up with eight goals, leaving Division Two side Rangers contemplating a return to league action against Dewsbury Celtic at Shaw Hall Bank Road on Saturday.

Oldham St Anne's and Waterhead Warriors had a weekend off.