Opportunity knocks for Rangers

Saddleworth Rangers uNder-15s: Scott Booth (back row, left), Thomas Hilton, Chris Bolton, Jack Connor, Ross Hansford, Ben White, Bobby Crossley, Charlie Stringer, Jack Leigh. Harry Ripley (front row, left), Danny Richardson, Ashley Webb, John Casson, Tom Rice, Lewis Ralph, Lewis Galbraith, Ryan Maneely, Josh Brown, Jay Claridge.

RUGBY: SADDLEWORTH Rangers under-15s are to embark on a week-long trip to France in two months’ time — and it has been paid for thanks to their own players.

The team formed their own committee and filled in application forms for a £12,000 grant from the Kerrching Youth Oppor-tunity Fund.

And the bid was successful, meaning all the players’ travelling costs, kit, accommodation and activities away from the rugby field have been taken care of.

“It is a great trip for the kids, some of whom may not even have been abroad before,” said Saddleworth Rangers youth secretary Alan Bolton.

“The grant we have been awarded is amazing and it means we can pay for cultural visits while we are out there as well.”

The club is to take a travelling party of 59, including adults who have paid out of their own pockets, to Perpignan.

Rangers will play a game against a scholarship team from Catalans Dragons and another local club. There is also a possibility they will be on the field as a curtain-raiser to a Challenge Cup quarter-final, provided Catalans reach that stage and receive a home draw.

The talented Rangers squad features nine players currently on scholarships at Super League clubs: Ryan Maneely, Danny Richardson and Scott Booth (all Warrington Wolves); Lewis Galbraith and Jack Connor (St Helens); Ross Hansford, Chris Bolton and Josh Bradbury (Salford City Reds) and Ben White (Leeds Rhinos).




THE Rangers under-15s side did have another reason to celebrate after defeating Higginshaw 36-0 in a match which doubled as an Oldham Cup semi-final.



The game was played on Rangers’ first-team pitch and the surroundings seemed to inspire the home team.

Higginshaw started strongly but Saddleworth held firm and scored first-half-tries through Scott Booth, man-of-the-match Ryan Maneely and Lewis Galbraith, with Josh Bradbury and Bobby Crossley converting.

Maneely, Booth, a spectacular Galbraith effort and one from Danny Richardson, added to by two Bradbury goals, rounded off the scoring.

Rangers went on to defeat reigning champions Rylands 36-28, completing a league double over the Warrington side to go top of the North-West Counties League premier division.

After going 8-0 down, Richardson’s hat-trick of tries, one each from Jack Connor and man-of-the-match White and three Bradbury goals, made it 26-8 to Rangers at the break.

Rylands fought back strongly in the second half but two more Booth tries and a Bradbury goal proved enough to clinch victory.




Win puts title in touching distance



THE North-West Counties division two title is within touching distance for Saddleworth Rangers under-14s, who need only one more point after winning 28-10 at Hindley.



Despite conceding early, Rangers hit back with four tries from Joe Boulter, Dominic Elkin, Harry Wallace and Joseph Harrison-Brown.

Leading 20-4 as the second half started, Jed Mawdsley finished off a flowing five-man move and Harrison-Brown also crossed late on.

Rangers now have two matches left in which to pick up the necessary point.

Rangers under-16s produced one of their best performances of the season in losing 16-0 at home to a strong Shevington side.

It took over half an hour for the capable visitors to register their first score and, with only four points separating the teams at the break, Rangers had real hope entering the second half.

But a series of cheap penalties gave Shevington the chance to cross first and the visitors won comfortably against a Rangers team reduced to 12 men as a result of several injuries.

The under-11s, with tries from Nick Craig, Sam Anderson, Keitel Howarth, Charlie Lawless and Taylor Moss (two), defeated Mayfield Mustangs 32-24.

After raising their game, Rangers under-10s came away from West Bank Bears with a 32-24 win.

The first half ended all-square at 16 points each before a far tighter defensive unit from Rangers secured the victory.

Try scorers for Saddleworth were Matt Fletcher, Elliott Fish, Nathan Roebuck, Josh Molloy, James Rice and man-of-the-match Adam Dransfield, with goals from Kieran Elkin, Fletcher, Finn Gallagher and Roebuck.




Saints’ late show keeps Pat’s at bay



OLDHAM St Anne’s under-11s defeated Wigan St Patrick’s 26-18 at home in an evenly-fought game.



Regan Croft, James Barran and Anthony Wooley scored first-half tries, Owen Baldwin kicking three goals to help Saints to an 18-6 lead.

The Wigan outfit responded with a converted effort and the game remained tight until the last two minutes.

Oliver Depetrillo crossed for the home side in the closing stages and despite St Pat’s hitting back with a try of their own, Barran’s second sealed the result.

A much improved performance was put in by St Anne’s under-10s despite their 20-12 defeat to Chorley Panthers.

Jack Smyth and Rob Charles scored tries for Saints, with both converting their own efforts.

If any Year Five players want to join the team, contact Dave Charles on 07986 761556.