Spirited Rangers hit back in style

GOING, GOING . . . players emerge from the soon-to-be demolished clubhouse

ON the day when Saddleworth Rangers said goodbye to their old clubhouse, the Shaw Hall Bank Road side enhanced their National Conference League promotion ambitions with a spirited win.

Rangers overcame a four-point half-time deficit to defeat second-placed Leigh East 30-28 in Division Two of the competition.

It was a cracking effort by the side coached by Paul Geener and Craig Farrimond.

The hosts crossed on five occasions through Gareth Morgan, Ethan Langhorn, Harry Godfrey, Matt Fogerty and Gavin Dodd. Ben Whitehead kicked all five conversions.

East edged the first half thanks to tries from Chris Dootson (two), Ihaka Watene and Lee Rowley ­- Adam Holland landed three goals ­- but it was a different story after the break as Rangers took control.

The visitors only had an Andy Ball touch down to cheer, with Holland adding the extras.

As for the Rangers clubhouse, constructed by players and members in 1974, it will be demolished in the next couple of weeks. The new structure is set to open next February.

The total build cost is expected to be around £315,000 and the coffers received a huge boost last month with a grant of £38,000 from the waste recycling company Veolia.

In Division Three of NCL, Oldham St Anne's staged a great recovery at home to Drighlington, but it was the visitors who held on to claim the spoils courtesy of a 31-24 success.

Saints found themselves 20-0 down at Higginshaw Road, but hit back to trail by two points with 13 minutes left on the clock.

Matt Whitehead, Luke Skilling, Greg Worrall and Dom Bryan went in for the hosts, with Whitehead kicking four goals.

Saints' big effort was in vain, though, as a converted Drighlington score at the death sealed their fate.

Meanwhile, Waterhead Warriors had no answer to leaders Crosfields, who ran out comfortable 54-6 winners on their home patch.

The Warriors were 42 points adrift before opening their account, Matty Barron converting his own try on the hour mark to register for the visitors.