Maneely’s show lifts Rangers

RYAN Maneely was the star of the show as Saddleworth Rangers under-14s clung on to record a 14-12 victory at local rivals Higginshaw Eagles.

The hooker was given the man-of-the-match award for his outstanding performance in the second Junior Tri-Team challenge game of the season, helping his side claim second place in the mini-league, just a point behind leaders Higginshaw and three clear of Oldham St Anne’s.

The home side dominated early on and a penalty from Jamie Mayall and a try — a spectacular individual effort from Niall Reyburn, converted by Mayall — took them 8-0 ahead, before Josh Bradbury’s kick to the corner was capitalised on by Jay Claridge.

Rangers then scored through Maneely, Ben White converting to take Saddleworth into the lead for the first time at 10-8.

White went over himself to increase the lead and that was how it stood until the dying minutes, when a try from Josh Queenan was followed by a Mayall conversion which, agonisingly for the Eagles, struck a post.

Rangers under-16s made hard work of it in the first half against Blackpool Scorpions before running out 36-8 winners.

After managing to sneak into a 10-8 lead at the break Rangers began to get their game plan together.

Man-of-the-match Jack Chadwick came up with a hat-trick of tries and he was well supported by full-back Michael Tattersall, who got a try and picked up the Blackpool coach’s top award.

Other tries arrived through Sam Wilson, Nathan Jewitt and Damon Lees, Joe Greenwood kicking four goals.




ADAM Steeple came up with a pair of tries as Waterhead under-15s won 16-12 at Wigan St Jude’s.



After claiming his first following a converted St Jude’s score, Steeple then finished off a fast-flowing move featuring great support play to put the visitors ahead Ben Whitehead converted.

The best try of the game followed, with Jonathan Fouldes picking up a Daniel Yates chip before racing in from 70 metres under the posts, Whitehead converting to leave Waterhead 16-6 up at the break.

Strong defending in the second half restricted the home team to just one scoring effort.




Fightback stuns Heath



A HUGE second-half turnaround secured the points for Oldham St Anne’s under-15s away at Thatto Heath.



Changing ends 4-0 down, Saints came out with all guns blazing to score through tries from Ryan Bradbury, a run that started inside his own half, Kendal Davies, Nick Ryan and Michael Lockwood. Davies kicked two conversions and a penalty to make the final score 22-4.

Cole Connolly scored a first-half hat-trick as the Saints’ under-nines lost a pulsating game against Widnes Moorfield by eight tries to six.

Sam Hall was the other player on the scoresheet for Saints in the opening period and Michael Grabowski and Jack Smyth added another pair in the second half.

Harrison Lewis led the way as boy of the match, with Robert Charles topping the tackle count for the second successive week.

The club’s under-10s picked up where they left off last week to beat West Bank Bears 30-14 away from home.

Boy of the match Oliver Depetrillo scored and converted the first, with Owen Baldwin and Joshua Fish adding two more before the home side responded.

Nathan Done came up with another Saints try, only for West Bank to hit back once again, but Harry Akeroyd calmed the nerves by racing in from 60 metres and converting his own effort.

James Barran finished off the scoring for Saints when he took on the defence and reached out to place the ball over the line.

It was hard work for St Anne’s under-eights, who picked up a seven tries to six win over Newton Storm, thanks to four tries from Danny Fish, two from Asa France and one from Ben Ivell.

St Anne’s under-12s put in another solid performance to pick up a second win of the season, 22-8 over Leigh Miners Rangers.

Tries were scored by Ryan Lynch, Josh Berry (two), Alex Jobson and Jack Morrison, with Paul Ainsworth adding two goals. Luke Skilling was handed the man-of-the-match award.