Saddleworth bounce back to book an away-day tie

RUGBY: SADDLEWORTH School’s Year 11 team earned a tie at Sutton High School of St Helens after completing a hard-fought 28-12 victory over Standish in the Carnegie Champion Schools North-West tournament.

The visitors from Wigan opened up the first-round clash the stronger and held a well-deserved 8-6 lead at the break, courtesy of two tries from speedster Martin Jackson, both set up by slick handling from captain Jonny Brown.

Saddleworth replied with a try from second row forward Josh Johnson which was converted by Nathan Shaw-Langhorn.

In the second half, the home side took control with four neat tries. Aaron Webb got the game-breaker and Shaw-Langhorn added three more goals before Standish had the final say when full-back Tommy Welsh displayed neat footwork on his way to the line.

An ill-tempered scuffle in the final minute took some gloss away from an otherwise fair but firm encounter.


OLDHAM St Anne’s under-nines travelled to a depleted Wigan St Jude’s and donated players to the home side before running out winners by seven tries to one.

Saints player Ethan Chiappe scored for both sides — one for the home team in the first half and four for St Anne’s in the second.

The scores were level at half-time, before Saints’ passing game came together. Further tries from Alfie Baldwin (two) and Max Flanagan clinched victory.

Asa France was man-of-the-match for St Anne’s thanks to his organising skills as captain.


HIGGINSHAW under-nines put up a good fight against local rivals Saddleworth Rangers before eventually losing in difficult conditions.

Rangers were always ahead in the game and scored tries through Bradley Jinks, Josh Yarwood, Andrew Goodwin, Adam Howarth, Elijah Wolstenholme and Ben Forster.

Jinks was man-of-the-match thanks to a hat-trick and some outstanding tackling, while two-try Goodwin was top tackler.