Rangers are just champion
Date published: 31 March 2010
Photo: Chris Sunderland
OVER TO YOU: Harry Wallis of Saddleworth Rangers under-14s, releases a pass against Leyland Warriors.
RUGBY: SADDLEWORTH Rangers under-14s clinched the North-West Counties League division two title and sealed back-to-back promotions with an emphatic eight-try romp in a 40-16 victory over Leyland Warriors.
Pre-match nerves and doubts were quickly dispelled in a blistering opening spell which saw Rangers power over for four tries in the first 20 minutes as Jed Mawdsley, Sebastian Leech, Jordan Buin and Harry Wallace all touched down.
And when James Fowles crossed for try number five just before half time, Saddleworth held a commanding 26-6 interval lead.
Within minutes of the start of the second half, that advantage was extended even further when Dominic Elkin crossed and, although Leyland responded briefly with two tries of their own, Rangers scored again through Joseph Harrison-Brown before Elkin finished things off nicely with his second try of the day.
The result confirmed Rangers as champions with a game to spare, leaving the team on course for an historic league and cup double.
Chronicle Cup latest
THE race for spots in the Oldham Chronicle Cup finals day is hotting up.
This year’s annual extravaganza takes place at Saddleworth Rangers ARLFC on Sunday, April 25.
The current state of play reads as follows —
Under-12s final: Oldham St Anne’s v Milnrow/Saddleworth Rangers.
Under-13s final: Saddleworth Rangers v Waterhead/Oldham St Anne’s.
Under-14s semi-final: Saddleworth Rangers v Oldham St Anne’s (winner to final); Waterhead v loser of semi-final (winner to final).
Under-15s final: Saddleworth Rangers v Oldham St Anne’s/Higginshaw.
Under-16s semi-final: Oldham St Anne’s v Saddleworth Rangers/Shaw (winner to play Waterhead in final).
WATERHEAD’S under-17s secured a 44-16 win away at New Spring Lions, with both Sam Wilson and Curtis Robinson crossing for hat-tricks.
The other scorers were Niall Dunnington-Wallace, Michael Tattersall (two) and captain Anthony Mellor, with Tattersall also landing two conversions.
With three games left, Waterhead are currently fourth in the North-West Counties League division one table.
Croft is toast of St Anne’s
REGAN Croft’s superb hat-trick rounded off a good team performance from Oldham St Anne’s under-11s, who won 46-14 away at Mayfield Mustangs.
Leading 16-8 at the start of the second half, Saints stepped up a gear after the break to run out comfortable winners.
The pick of the tries was made by boy-of-the-match Cameron Molloy. His long run up the left and then across the field preceded a pass to the supporting Anthony Wooley, who crashed over.
Saints’ other tries came from Joshua Fish, Owen Baldwin and Molloy.
Oliver Depetrillo, Baldwin, Callum Prendergast, Croft, Jamie Ashton, Molloy and Joshua Glasgow all landed goals.
SADDLEWORTH Rangers under-15s continued their winning ways by beating Chorley Panthers 32-6.
Jack Connor, Ben White and Ryan Maneely scored first-half tries for Rangers, Josh Bradbury converting twice for a 16-0 lead.
Scott Booth was next over, followed by a Chorley try. Maneely and John Casson both scored before the game was up. Lewis Galbraith was man-of-the-match for Rangers.
Pilkington Recs under-12s did for Rangers, winning 12-8 on home turf.
The visitors went ahead through Harry Aaronson off man-of-the-match Josh Hall’s deft kick and after an equaliser from the St Helens side, Tom Jowle seized possession to score an excellent try that put Saddleworth 8-4 up at half-time.
The home side dominated after that and a bad-tempered clash stuttered to an unsatisfactory conclusion.
