Rhinos charge to derby victory

HOLD ON TIGHT: Josh Davidson, of Failsworth, is grabbed by two Radclyffe opponents in an Oldham schools rugby league competition at Manor Park. Saddleworth won the event with an unbeaten record from Blue Coat.

Rugby: SHAW Rhinos under-16s came out on top in the local derby against Saddleworth Rangers, winning 22-14.

After an even opening, the home side broke the deadlock through Sam Bentley’s effort in the corner and it was followed up by further scores from Ben Jackson and Luke Bentley, with a pair of John Botham conversions making it 16-0 at half-time.

Shaw extended their lead through Bentley, Botham again converting, before Rangers finally got going to run in three tries of their own.

Jordan Arundale scored twice and the other Saddleworth try came from Andrew Joy, with Scott Lamont converting one.


JAKE Shoel’s outstanding defensive effort helped Waterhead under-16s achieve a 12-8 home victory over Blackbrook.

Two excellent tries in the first 10 minutes from Johnathan Fouldes and Jack Cooke, both converted by Ben Whitehead, put the home team in control.

A series of unforced errors gave Blackbroook plenty of ball and a pair of unconverted tries reduced the deficit to 12-8 at half-time, with defences well on top after that.

A bruising clash between Waterhead under-17s and New Spring Lions saw the visitors seal a 30-29 win thanks to two late tries.

In a closely-contested game, Waterhead led 28-18 in the second half before a 25-minute delay ensued after a New Spring player was removed from the action via an ambulance after a big collision.

Michael Tattersall added a drop goal for Waterhead but the momentum was lost — and to add injury to insult, the team lost Daniel Himes with a broken collar bone, the same injury as suffered by team-mate Jack Mayall the previous week.

Try scorers for Waterhead were Jordan Curtis (two), Jordan Hanley (two) and Tattersall, with Luc Kinder kicking four goals.


A FIERCE clash on Oldham Edge saw Higginshaw Eagles under-15s go down 32-12 to North-West Counties League premier division leaders and local rivals Saddleworth Rangers.

The home side dominated early on and tries from Elliot White and Luke Heap and two Jamie Mayall conversions put Eagles 12-0 up.

Saddleworth worked their way back into the game and as Higginshaw suffered injuries to key players, the visitors got on with scoring tries through Jack Connor, Scott Booth and Ryan Maneely, Ben White converting all three for an 18-12 half-time lead.

Higginshaw then suffered two particularly nasty injuries, Ryan Standring breaking a leg and Paddy Fitzsimmons also having to go to hospital with damaged ribs.

The Eagles bravely battled on against Rangers, who themselves lost Chris Bolton with a shoulder problem.

Danny Richardson, White and Lewis Galbraith all added tries for Saddleworth, White converting one more.


ANY Year 10 boys interested in playing for Higginshaw should contact either Jeff on 07862 212451 or Mark on 07878 606289.


SADDLEWORTH Rangers under-14s came away from a blood-and-guts game at Chorley with a 20-6 win.

Man of the match Dominic Elkin crashed through to open the scoring, Cameron Matthews adding the conversion, and Sebastian Leech was next in for Rangers.

A converted try for the home side made it 10-6 at half-time, but Saddleworth took hold of proceedings after that and notched up further tries through Harry Wallace and Michael Maguire. Matthews added another goal.


Other results —

UNDER-11S: Oldham St Anne’s 24 (Tries: Harry Akeroyd, Owen Baldwin, James Barran, Alex France; Goals: Harry Akeroyd, Owen Baldwin, James Barran, Alex France), Crosfield Cobras 18; Waterhead 18 (Tries: Joe Hibbert, Garyn Allen and Declan Slicker), West Bank Bears 20.

UNDER-10s: Oldham St Anne’s 16 (Tries: Robert Charles, Sam Hall, Michael Grabowski; Goals: Rob Charles, Michael Grabowski), Fitton Hill 12; Accrington 28, Waterhead 32.

UNDER-NINES: Wigan St Patrick’s beaten by Oldham St Anne’s (Tries: Asa France, Thomas Barnes, Alfie Baldwin, Ben Ivell, Max Flanagan 2, Luke Smith 2); Shevington Sharks seven tries, Oldham St Anne’s four tries (Elijah Wolstenholme, Bradley Jinks, Josh Yarwood 2).