Rangers’ rally is a Bridge too far

Date published: 17 March 2015


RUGBY: 

SADDLEWORTH Rangers are still looking for their first win after two games in this season’s Kingstone Press National Conference League Division One, following their 30-18 home defeat by Ince Rose Bridge.

Much of the damage was done in their first half when Ince Rose racked up 20 points without reply.

Rangers hit back soon after the break with a try by Liam Hall, goaled by Ben Whitehead, and although a successful Kenny Baker kick – one of seven – stretched the visitors’ lead, Rhys Waring and James Whalley went over the line for tries converted by Whitehead.

At that stage it was 18-22 in favour of Bridge, but any hopes of Rangers completing their recovery were snuffed out by a Mitchell Parr try and two more Baker kicks between the posts.



OLDHAM St Anne's made a disappointing start to the Division Two season with a 34-8 defeat at Askam.

Tries by wingers Lawrence Girvan and Niall Collins accounted for the Saints points.

Due to the physical nature of the game, injuries took their toll with Kiel Lancashire, Jordan White, Greg Worrall and Joe Tindall all leaving the field.

Forwards John Deakin, Simon Topping, Danny Earley and Saints man-of-the-match Dominic Igoe worked hard throughout in an effort to contain their opponents. Full-back Nathan Jewitt also excelled when

switching to outside half when Lancashire and White were injured.



WATERHEAD Warriors trailed 20-0 in their Division Three fixture at Woolston Rovers, but rallied to close within four points thanks to two tries and two goals by Jamie Mayall and a Ryan Ganley touchdown.

But that was as good as it got for Waterhead as Rovers upped their game to restore their 20-points advantage and win 36-16.



A LACK of composure proved costly for Fitton Hill as they lost 28-24 at Bolton Mets in North-West League Division Three.

Anthony Hilton converted his own early try, but the Bulldogs lost possession far too many times, allowing Bolton in for three touchdowns.

Fitton Hill’s forwards began to make inroads, and Mike Hall, Arran Fleming and Paul Turner all went over, with all three scores being converted by man-of-the-match Wayne Hadfield. A top tackling display by Ryan Hetherington wasn’t enough, as the Mets were allowed to score the winning try in the dying minutes.