Rangers’ wait goes on after late drama

RUGBY: A TRY and a pair of goals from Ben Whitehead weren’t quite enough to yield points for Saddleworth Rangers in their fifth straight defeat in the league.

The Greenfield outfit lost out 30-20 at Hunslet Warriors in a close-fought clash — one ultimately decided only two minutes from full-time.

Rangers were 26-20 down but battling hard for a try when Tom Dransfield was held up over the line and between the posts. A possible six points to draw the visitors level went begging.

As the Warriors regained possession, home full-back Gary McClelland went the length of the field to end the resistance and leave Craig Farrimond’s side second-bottom of the table.

Richard Wheelhouse and Caldon Bravo both crossed in the first seven minutes for Hunslet, with McClelland converting both tries. Anthony Morrison hit back with a score, converted by Whitehead, and after McClelland had goaled his own try, Whitehead went over to make it 18-10 at half-time.

Dave Norton’s score was answered by efforts from Jack Holden and Gareth Morgan, Whitehead kicking another two points to make it 24-20. But McClelland’s 75th-minute penalty and try three minutes later settled the affair.