Last word goes to terrific Travis

YOUTH RUGBY:

JUBILANT Saddleworth Rangers under-12s reached the final of the North-West Counties development plate competition with an 18-16 home victory over Ince Rose Bridge.

Man-of-the-match Reece Travis pierced the Ince defence to touch down under the posts to equalise after the visitors had gone ahead early on, and Tom Brisk helped Rangers take a 10-6 lead into the break after a period of good passing.

Ince went back in front thanks to a brace of tries, before a superb counter-attack ended with Fin Wall breaking through at the right corner.

Travis was at it again minutes later after Ali Hassan had driven through the middle of the defence.

Jacob Ford was Saddleworth’s top tackler and Harry Smith picked up the coach’s award.

The final will be played at Fylde Rugby Club on Sunday, April 25.

The under-15s of Saddleworth Rangers became the only team to take four points off recently-crowned Lancashire champions Orrell St James, courtesy of a 28-14 triumph.

Chris Bolton got Rangers’ first try and Ryan Maneely added a second soon after, Josh Bradbury converting the first of four.

The excellent Danny Richardson then went over twice for Rangers, Bradbury added goals to both for an impressive 22-0 half-time lead.

The only downside from a Rangers viewpoint was losing Ross Hansford with a hamstring injury just before the break.

Two quick Orrell tries brought them 10 points before Maneely’s second settled the nerves.

Rangers went on to lose concentration in the final quarter, but held on for a victory which takes them four points clear at the top of the premier division.

A strong Wigan St Jude’s did for Rangers under-10s, winning 14-10 on their own ground.

Will Wright opened the scoring for Rangers with a superb individual effort which he also converted and the visitors led 6-4 at half-time.

Wright went over again at the start of the second half but with time running out, St Jude’s pulled level — and then struck with a match-winner.

Josh Molloy was the Rangers man-of-the-match.


Panthers too strong

OLDHAM St Anne’s under-11s battled hard but eventually succumbed to a big Chorley Panthers pack, losing 24-6 at home.

The visitors used their strength to plunder three unanswered converted tries before Jamie Ashton went in off a superb Joshua Fish kick.

Saints, looking like Jack Russells going into battle against Great Danes, did well to restrict the Panthers to one score in the second half and also came close when Fish was stopped 10 metres out after a long break.


SHAW Rhinos under-16s put up an improved second-half performance against Shevington Sharks.

Trailing 26-0 at half-time, pride was restored after the break as the game finished 42-10 in the visitors’ favour.

Other scores —

UNDER-NINES: Saddleworth Rangers four tries (MOM: Bradley Jinks), Blackbrook six tries.

UNDER-EIGHTS: Leigh East six tries, Oldham St Anne’s one try (Sam Thackeray).


Five-try Waterhead

WATERHEAD under-13s came away from their game against Leigh East with a 24-22 win.

In a close-fought match, the lead changed hands several times with both teams playing expansive open rugby.

And it was Waterhead who won the game with tries from Billy McDermott, Robert Wood, Matthew Jackson and Dan Fairfoul (two).