Six of the best for Rangers

Photo: PICTURES by VINCENT BROWN.

LET’S GO: James Inman, of Our Lady’s, powers towards the Failsworth line in the Oldham Schools Year Nine festival at Manor Park.

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A CRUSHING away-day win at Wigan St Cuthbert’s saw Saddleworth Rangers under-16s claim a sixth straight win this season.

In windy conditions, it was the strong defence of the pack which laid the foundations for Rangers’ 42-4 triumph.

Key performances from man-of-the-match prop forward Ben Anchor, half-backs Tom Smith and Nathan Jewitt and hooker Sam Shaw contributed to ripping holes in the St Cuthbert’s defence time and again.

Jewitt (two), Jack Francis, Anchor, Sam Wilson, Lewis Hough, Curtis Robinson and Joe Greenwood all scored tries, with Greenwood also adding five goals.

Depleted Rangers under-nines had to dig deep to see off the challenge of a determined Atherton Dragons outfit.

At half-time Saddleworth were ahead by three tries to two and with no substitutes available, had to keep tackling hard and making big yards with each drive.

Two ahead with little time left, Rangers had their advantage cut to one but held on successfully to deservedly come out on top.

Awards went to Guy Edwards (most improved player), Matt Fletcher (top-tackler) and Kristian Hilton (man-of-the-match).

A 30-14 home reverse disguised Rangers under-11s’ best effort of the season.

In dreadful conditions underfoot, Saddleworth battled hard to salvage a good deal of pride against an excellent Wigan St Patrick’s side.

A pair of tries for the visitors was answered by a terrific scoot by coaches’ award winner Dan Holmes. Tom Jowle’s conversion made it 10-6.

The Wigan side scored soon after to silence the celebrations, before man-of-the-match Harry Aaronson outran the opposition superbly to cross at the left corner for Saddleworth.

Another try for the visitors gave them a 20-10 lead as the teams turned around.

A dogged defensive effort after the break restricted St Pats to just two tries, with top tackler Fin Wall in good form as he kept the away team at bay.

Saddleworth managed one further try when Jowle forced his way through the defence and touched the ball down under the posts.




Counthill have festival fever



COUNTHILL clinched more Oldham Schools honours at Manor Park, this time in the Year Nine festival.



Hot on the heels of their success in the Year 11 competition at the same venue, they came out on top thanks to a 16-4 success against Saddleworth in the final.

Counthill also boasted the player of the tournament in Jack Hughes, while the ‘shooting star’ award went to Failsworth’s Nick Rattue.

The other schools taking part were Crompton House, Our Lady’s and Blue Coat.




Baldwin puts Saints on road to success



OLDHAM St Anne’s under-10s came out 16-10 winners against Latchford Albion in a fantastic, hard-fought clash.



The game was scoreless up until five minutes before the break, when Owen Baldwin spotted a gap in the line to go over in the corner, converting his own effort for Saints.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Saints struck again as second rower Joshua Fish burst through to hand them a 10-0 lead.

The Warrington visitors responded to cut that advantage to six points, but it was all they could manage up until a consolation effort right at the end.

Hooker Alex France put the game to bed with an interception effort from halfway. He converted his own try.

Boy-of-the-match was Nathan Done, Oliver Depetrillo was the top-tackler and James Barran won the ‘champagne moment’ award.

St Anne’s under-eights suffered a seven tries to six loss to Rylands despite putting in a gallant effort.

A hat-trick from the ever impressive Ethan Chiappe and others from Asa France, Danny Fish and Thomas Barnes just weren’t quite enough for Saints.

Saints’ under-13s overcame Golborne Parkside 28-4 to stay undefeated in the league.

Kyle Saunders opened the scoring with a fine individual try after good approach work from Jack Hall and Kyle Winterbottom, but just before half time Golborne scored their only try.

St Anne’s went ahead back in front through a Winterbottom score, before further tries followed from Danny Lewis (two), Callan Whittaker and Dylan O’Grady.

Two conversions were added, with one each from Winterbottom and Ashley Forde.