Tough task to repel Raiders

Ben White

Amateur RL by KEVIN RICHARDSON

BUOYED by a first win since April, Saddleworth Rangers must now up their game for tomorrow’s visit of second-placed Oulton Raiders in Kingstone Press National Conference League Division One.

However, with EIGHT players unavailable — four of whom helped secure a 30-18 victory over Eccles last weekend — coach Shane Tupaea’s knows his side are well and truly up against it.

Raiders have won 12 of their 13 league games. Rangers’ record reads four victories from 14 starts.

While giving it their best shot of causing an upset, Tupaea is also aware of the fixtures on the horizon against teams in and around them in the lower half of the table.

After Raiders, Rangers host basement side Millom and then go to fourth-bottom Eccles.

Tupaea said: “We go into the game with no expectations.

“I want us to stick to the patterns that have been put in place and make sure that our heads don’t go down as Oulton are very slick.

“Last week’s performance in the first half was probably the best we have played all season.

“I could see an improvement and the players had obviously listened and take on board instructions. It is a pity, therefore, that four of those players are missing tomorrow, but I will still field a decent team.”

On the plus side for Tupaea, Ashley Webb is back from suspension, while Chris Conway and Simon Parrish are back in contention.

WATERHEAD also have advantage in NCL Division Two tomorrow.

Beaten 50-22 by Wigan St Pats in the Challenge Trophy last weekend — that result was no disgrace against top-flight opposition — the eighth-placed Peach Road club turn their attention to gathering much-needed league points.

Bradford Dudley Hill, in fifth, are the visitors.

OLDHAM St Anne’s, who succumbed 78-10 at Featherstone Lions in the Challenge Trophy most recently, hit the road to promotion hopefuls Elland in Division Two of the NCL.

Mid-table security is not too far away for Mick Fogerty’s side, who are currently seventh in the standings.